PSC rejects lower water rate request

The Kentucky Public Service Commission rejected a request from the Breathitt County Water District to avoid a 13.23 percent increase in county water rates.

On March 20, 2025, the Water District filed a “motion of waiver” with the KPSC to offset the raise mandated in the decision from a final order in January 2024.  The order instituted a 54.07 percent increase to cover the financial needs and requirements of the Breathitt County Water District to be phased in over three years.

On January 31, 2024, the rates rose 18.04 percent and went up another 15.30 percent on January 31, 2025.  The motion of waiver sought to avoid the 13.23 percent increase slated for January 31, 2026, citing the recent flooding.  The request sought to prevent “significant, negative impact on the customers.”

The rejection of the Breathitt County Waters District’s request was announced on April 17 after the PSC determined that the annual report did not provide updated financial information from the water district.

Under the PSC order from January 2024, the 13.23 percent water increase will go into effect in January 2026 unless the Breathitt County Water District files another appeal.