The councilor reveals that the financial strain led to a necessary increase in the water tariff

Brooke County, WV – Follansbee residents will soon see an increase in their water bills after council voted to implement the change to keep up with critical infrastructure upgrades.

The increase will take effect in about three months.

This is the first adjustment in several years and comes as city officials face increasing pressure to address aging water systems.

“For several years, we have been running a deficit to the point that we have had to forgo some necessary purchases, such as the equipment we need. We have had to ask for loans from the city, which we will have to pay,” said the councilor John Casineille.

According to Mayor Dave Velegol, the decision to increase rates was not taken lightly, but is critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the city’s water supply.

“Right now, the water system is really in bad shape. What has driven it is that the Coca-Cola plant is closing; they were a big consumer of water for us. So without that revenue, the Department of ‘water is really struggling,’ said Velegol.

The monthly bill is expected to increase by 43%, which the city says will generate the revenue needed to fund water line repairs, make improvements to treatment facilities and continue to modernize its infrastructure.

“The average user, who consumes 3,400 gallons, will see a $16.00 increase on their bill,” Velegol added.

Officials emphasized that Follansbee’s water department benefits from the flexibility of operating two water plants: a groundwater facility and a river water plant.

This setup provides protection against potential shortages, ensuring the city has a reliable backup if a source runs into trouble.