20061016_1695.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSIONER HANSEN
COMMISSION SECRETARY
LEGAL
WORKING FILE
FROM:TAMMIE ESTBERG
DATE:OCTOBER 10 2006
RE:JERRY AND ANNA FYFE'S COMPLAINT AGAINST ISLAND PARK
WATER COMPANY
On August 18 2006, the Commission received a "formal" complaint (attached) from
Jerry and Anna Fyfe against Island Park Water. The Fyfe s are requesting a formal complaint be
opened to address the failure of Island Park Water Company to fix and maintain the water system
to supply year round service to their residence.
BACKGROUND
In February 2006, the Fyfes' water line broke and the Company made no repairs until late
July 2006. The customer also states there is sand in the water line, causing problems with
appliances in the home. The Fyfes maintain that the water line is only 2-3 feet underground and
made of very thin pipe that allows it to freeze and break every winter. The customer feels the
manager ofthe Company, Dave Benton, and his part-time employees Bill Warner and Kelly
Jensen, refuse to take steps to update the system. Other problems include failure of the Company
to notify residents when the water is off for repairs, failure to maintain wells during and after
power outages, loss of water pressure, pumps that are not in operation, and failure to formally
inform residents that water is not maintained year round. The Fyfe s currently have their home
for sale and feel that growing knowledge of the poor water service for Shotgun North
Subdivision is hindering the sale.
DECISION MEMORANDUM OCTOBER 10, 2006
STAFF ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATION
Three PUC Staff members recently visited Island Park Water s service territory and met
with Dave Benton and the Fyfes. Staff does not believe that the concerns mentioned in the
Fyfe s letter is limited to this one customer. Based upon Staffs preliminary investigation, it
appears the Company may have significant difficulty maintaining safe, reliable year-round
service, notifying customers, responding to service outages, billing customers and billing
according to tariff. The Company s practices appear to be out of compliance with several PUC
Utility Customer Relations Rules (IDAPA 31.21.01) and Policies & Presumptions for Small
Water Companies (IDAP A 31.36.01). Staff recommends that the Commission delay taking
action on the Fyfe s formal compliant and allow Staff to continue its informal investigation. An
informal investigation will allow the Staff to develop a record on which the Commission can
base its decision regarding issues raised by the Fyfes. Staff anticipates providing the
Commission with a report of its findings and recommendations as well as a final
recommendation on how to proceed with respect to the Fyfe s formal complaint.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to delay taking action on the Fyfe s complaint and allow the
Staffto continue its informal investigation?
Tammie Estberg
memos/Fyfes Complaint Decision Memo
DECISION MEMORANDUM OCTOBER 10, 2006
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