20060828Comments.pdf

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RECEIVED
RALPH E. SHRIGLEY
32734 N. Hayden Avenue
Spirit Lake, ID 83869
[phone]
200G AUG 25 AM 8: 23
IDAHO PUBLIC
UTILITIES COMMISSION
August 23 , 2006
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
472 W. Washington Street
O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0074
Re: In the Matter ofthe Application of Spirit Lake East
Water Company, Inc.
Case No. SPL-06-
Dear Commission:
I am a customer of Spirit Lake East Water Company, Inc. (SLEWCO), r~siding in
the Spirit Lake East development, and am writing to provide comments relating to
referenced Application dated August 14, 2006. I have no objection to the requested
increase in water rates or hookup charges. I hope that SLEWCO's change in financial
strategy from being operated to provide tax benefits to its parent corporation to becoming
a profitable entity signals an increase in interest in SLEWCO's operations and its future.
In recent years there has been a lack of interest on the part of SLEW CO in making
prudent, timely investment in equipment to such a degree that it lost DEQ approval of the
system. Although SLEWCO expends little or no effort in informing its customers of
these important developments, these deficiencies have apparently been resolved to the
satisfaction ofDEQ.
I would also note that written requests from the Spirit Lake Homeowners
Association to SLEWCO, asking that a single hydrant be installed near SLEWCO
facilities, at the expense ofthe Homeowners' Association, have gone unanswered. Fire
trucks responding with tenders to calls in Spirit Lake East may face a round trip of more
than eight miles to refill. Granting the Homeowners' request , at no cost to SLEWCO
would cut this distance in half. This lack of interest and responsiveness to its customers
has, unfortunately, become the norm in recent times.
Regarding the request to increase hookup fees for new connections, I believe the
fees should be set at a level sufficient to provide for installation of a cross connection
control device at the time new service is established. This device should be sufficient to
provide unimpeded one-inch flow to the service line. Taking this step at the time of
installation would save new customers from adding such devices at a later time, incurring
considerable additional expense. It would also reduce the administrative burden on
SLEWCO, which must manage a related program.
My major concern with subject application is that it reflects a glaring deficiency
adversely affecting SLEWCO's customers whose health, wealth and safety depend on the
sustainability ofthis company. The lack of any sort of sinking fund, capital reserve
account, or even any mention of a plan for future replacement of installed mains and
distribution lines is a major deficiency. Portions of the installed mains and distribution
system are approaching thirty years of age. PVC lines, such as used in Spirit
Lake East and Treeport, have an estimated useful life of 30-40 years according to some
sources and up to 60 years depending on other sources. Several variables can impact
their useful life, such as method of bedding lines when installed, and soil types.
I respectfully request that the Public Utilities Commission require SLEWCO to
develop plans and financial strategies that will assure the sustainability of a healthful
water supply for the residents of Spirit Lake East and Treeport. SLEWCO should
commit to completion of this planning effort, within a timeframe to be established by the
PUC, before approval of the referenced application for rate increase is granted.
JfL 7s'
Cf: Spirit Lake East Water Company, 15807 E. Indiana
Jean Jewell
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From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Ed Howell
Monday, August 28 , 2006 1 :54 PM
Jean Jewell; Ed Howell; Gene Fadness; Tonya Clark
Comment acknowledgement
WWW Form Submission:
Monday, August 28, 2006
12: 53: 30
Case: SPL-W-06-
Name: Julie Garrett
Street Address: 32389 N Tahoe Dr
City: Spirit Lake
State: ID
ZIP: 83869
Home Telephone: [phone]E-Mail: troubleki tties0netzero. com
Company: Spirit Lake East Water Company
mailing list yes no:
Comment description: Given receipt of notification from the Spirit Lake East Water Company
of their intent to request a rate increase of 100% I am concerned since the water service
provided by said water company is unreliable at best, and dangerous at worst. To suggest
that, as a consumer, I should double the amount of money paid to this utility to receive
the same unreliable service with potentially harmful drinking water is unbelieveable. The
most recent notification I received indicates that this water system has been disapproved
by DEQ. I have received no notification that OEQ has since approved this system or that
necessary repairs or improvements have been made. Furthermore, each time (of which there
have been many) there is potential contamination this water company does not notify
consumers until several days later. Usually the notice is dated the same date or the next
date then is mailed (via USPS) with a post mark of the second or third day, then received
at my home 3 to 4 days after the incident, assuming no weekends or holidays areconsidered. This is dangerous to my family which includes a small child and a pregnant
woman. We can no longer drink our water out of fear that it is contaminated. How can
anyone suggest raising our rates when the service is substandard and the water quality andsafety is constantly in question? Do I need to remind anyone that we went without water
(of any standard) for more than a week just less than two years ago? How was I to flush
the toilet FOR A WEEK? Is this not also a health hazard? During this particular outage
residents were not informed of ANYTHING. I didn t know when water would be available; Ididnt know if the water coming out of my faucet was drinkable. This summer, the water
pressure has been sporatic at best; and again, I wonder how many times there has been
potential contamination without notification. Further, this water system is located in
Spirit Lake, Idaho. Not Spokane, Washington. not Boise, Idaho. When considering
meetings for this utility, please remember where the residents using the water arelocated.
Transaction IO: 8281253.
Referred by: http:/ /www.puc.state.id.us/scripts/polyform.dll/ipuc
User Address: 164.165.141.
User Hostname: 164.165.141.