PSC approves transfer of Pinewood system
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 29, 2016) — The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved the transfer of the privately owned Pinewood Subdivision sewer system in Mason County to the Western Mason Sanitation District.
In an order issued today, PSC noted that state policy favors consolidation of wastewater systems. PSC found that the transaction furthers that goal by eliminating wasteful duplication of costs and services and thus is in the public interest.
PSC also found that Western Mason Sanitation has the financial, technical and managerial abilities to provide reasonable service, as required by Kentucky law.
Pinewood Subdivision has 72 customers. Western Mason Sanitation serves about 415 customers in Mason and Bracken counties.
Terms of the transfer require Pinewood to pay Western Mason Sanitation $35,000 to take over the system, which includes collection lines and a wastewater treatment plant.
Western Mason Sanitation plans to operate the treatment plant until a line is built to connect the two systems. Once the connection is made, Pinewood’s wastewater will be sent for treatment to the city of Maysville, which already treats Western Mason Sanitation’s wastewater.
Upon completion of the transaction approved today, Pinewood customers, who now pay a flat monthly rate of $22.05, will be charged Western Mason Sanitation’s rate of $41.31 for the first 2,000 gallons of water usage and $9.41 for each additional 1,000 gallons.
Unlike Pinewood, Western Mason Sanitation is not under the jurisdiction of PSC. Therefore, its rates are not subject to PSC review.
Today’s order and other documents in the case are available on the PSC website, psc.ky.gov. The case number is 2015-00383.
PSC is an independent agency attached for administrative purposes to the Energy and Environment Cabinet. It regulates more than 1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and telecommunication utilities operating in Kentucky and has approximately 85 employees.
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