City of Elkins Approves Multi-Year Sewer Rate Increase to Fund Critical Infrastructure Upgrades

Elkins, WV – March 5, 2026: Following a recommendation from the Elkins Sanitary Board, the Elkins City Council has approved a series of sewer rate increases to be phased in over the next three years. The multi-year adjustment will fund a major update to the city’s aging wastewater system, ensuring both its efficiency and environmental compliance for years to come.

The new rates will take effect as follows: a 15% increase on May 15, 2026, followed by a 12% increase on May 15, 2027, and a final 15% increase on May 15, 2028. Each increase will first appear on customer bills mailed at the end of June in those respective years.

According to city officials, the investment is necessary to address the aging infrastructure of the wastewater treatment plant, which was originally constructed in 1986 and last saw significant upgrades in 2008. The new funds will be used to prevent sewage overflows, protect the Tygart Valley River, and meet evolving state and federal regulations.

“The Elkins Sanitary Board is committed to planning for the long-term health of our community,” said Whitney Hymes, Wastewater System Chief Operator of the City of Elkins. “These updates are essential for us to keep up with environmental standards and do what’s best for both current and future residents of Elkins.”

The approved rate structure is the result of a comprehensive study the Sanitary Board initiated in October 2025. The board partnered with Michael Griffith of Griffith & Associates and attorney Cynthia Wilson from Kay, Casto & Chaney to analyze historical costs, inflation, equipment condition, and vendor projections. This data-driven approach ensured the rate increases were calculated to meet the system’s needs.

By law, the City of Elkins cannot use general city funds to pay for utility operations. West Virginia regulations mandate that such services be entirely self-supporting and funded solely by the customers who use them. This user-funded model is designed to ensure the most sustainable and beneficial system for residents over the long term.

The most recent sewer rate increase for the City of Elkins was in 2023.

A more detailed page with frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the decisions behind the sewer rate increase is available here.

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