EPA REDUCES $256,000 MT. ZION PSD FINE FOLLOWING IMPROVEMENTS - Customers File Complaints With State's PSC

(11/07/2009)
By Bob Weaver

The Mt. Zion Public Service District's problems with the WV Department of Environmental Protection have been eased.

The PSD was facing a penalty of $256,000 for unresolved problems linked to the PSD's sewage operations.

That fine has reportedly been reduced to $24,000, following a significant effort by the PSD to correct the problems.

Some of the environmental problems are related to the PSD's wastewater operation at Arnoldsburg, indicating spillage into the West Fork of the Little Kanawha and problems with the plant itself.

The sewage problem is one of many facing the PSD.

The West Virginia Public Service Commission is investigating the PSD, after the secretary-treasurer was unable to produce financial documents and other PSD records.

The PSD's long-awaited 21-mile water extension project is on hold while officials make determinations about the bid letting.

The most recent complaint received by the WV Public Service Commission about Mt. Zion PSD service, a customer is claiming he has not been billed for water he has been receiving.

PSD attorney Leslie Anderson is investigating the complaint filed by Mt. Zion resident Gary F. Burdick.

Anderson is asking secretary-treasurer Wilma Mace to provide Burdick's usage and billing history for the past two years, among other items.

The PSD complaint says a bill indicates Burdick used no water, with the complainant saying "he was in his home during this period of time using water."