| By Bob Weaver
The privatizing of West Virginia's last great natural resource - water - continues, moving ownership from a public-owned utility to a mega-giant water corporation.
Fayetteville residents voted overwhelmingly Saturday to sell
the town's aging water and sewer systems to West Virginia American Water.
About 86% of voters were in favor of the
sale.
The sale marks the company's first acquisition of a sewer system.
With the sale now approved by voters, the company
awaits final closure on the $3.9 million purchase agreement.
Fayetteville residents will officially become West Virginia American Water
customers after the deal closes.
West Virginia American Water is the largest investor-owned water utility in West Virginia, providing water to more
than 581,000 customers.
West Virginia American Water is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of American Water, and provides drinking water, wastewater and other
related services to approximately 15.6 million people in 32 states and
Ontario, Canada.
The State of West Virginia has yet to develop a plan to protect and develop the state's water resources to benefit the public.
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