CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Recent complaints in Milton about discolored water are nothing new.

A WSAZ investigation revealed a series of complaints beginning in January 2023. Those complaints from nine residents sparked an investigation by the West Virginia Public Service Commission.

WSAZ found that the PSC consolidated the complaints and began its investigation, which included attempts to contact each customer individually, requesting records and offering the PSC a tour of the Milton plant.

While PSC investigators found no evidence of discolored water, the engineering department found that aging pipes in the Milton system contributed to brown or discolored water. The report showed that the city’s original pipes are about 70 years old.

PSC also found that the amount of unaccounted water in Milton had increased sharply. The May 2023 report states: “The increase in water loss from 13% to 40% over the last (3) years is concerning and indicates a problem that is getting worse rather than better.”

In its response, Milton informed PSC that it had a five-year capital improvement plan in place, which included replacing aging, unreliable and frequently bursting water mains.

PSC found that such a project, currently underway, would improve water quality in four of the nine complaint areas and reduce the City’s percentage of water loss.

PSC recommended that Milton complete its five-year infrastructure plan, reduce water loss, and update system mapping.

The PSC’s final recommendation focused on customers, urging anyone with water quality issues to contact their provider immediately. PSC noted that none of the customers in last year’s case had contacted Milton when the situation arose.

The PSC’s final report also found that Milton’s water system is operating within permit limits and that no significant deficiencies were found during a routine inspection by the state health department.

The City of Milton informed PSC that it had no objections to the findings and recommendations.

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