20050222Comment.pdf

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Feb 11 2005
Walter Hooker
1725 S Ash Park Ln.
Boise Id. 837
phone [phone]
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To:Idaho Public Utilities Commission and who it may concern.
I wish to express my complaint with Terra Grande Water s proposed water
rate payment increase as stated in the notice sent out by Terra Grand Water on
the 9th of February,
First off let me say, that I understand the water contamination problem , and I
also understand that Terra Grand Water is not personally responsible for this
issue. But , Terra Grand Water is a business, and as many business s find out
there are costs of operations and unexpected expenses, this would qualify as
one. I do not feel 'we as customers ' should bear the cost of this issue , payments
should stay within reason , Terra Grand Water is asking for full United Water
price and full Terra Grand Water price , which means as a customer, I will be
getting charged twice for the water I receive, I do not need a Water broker.
need a water company that can supply usable water at reasonable water price
rate. I am not opposed to United Water assuming all water responsibilities.
have enclosed a copy of the notice from Terra Grand Water for your review.
Thanks for your time.
Walter Hooker
JJ"
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR TERRA GRANDE WATER
SYSTEM CUSTOMERS REGARDING RATE CHANGES
On February 9,2005 Terra Grande filed an Application with the Idaho Public
Utilities Commission ("IPUC") requesting to increase rates for water service provided to
its customers. The proposed request is based on Terra Grande s recent connection to the
United Water of Idaho, Inc. supply system to procure reliable and safe water service for
its customers. This connection was completed on January 28, 2005, whereupon United
Water began selling water to Terra Grande for resale to its customers. Because United
Water s rates for water service are higher than the rates Terra Grande charges its
customers the Company has requested that the IPUC authorize it to increase its rates.
In the interim Terra Grande has requested that the IPUC authorize the Company
to continue to charge its customers its currently approved winter rates of $16.00 per
month. In addition, to these charges, the Company has requested that it be allowed to
pass on the actual costs it incurs from procuring water supply from United Water for its
customers.
Because the actual consumption of water from the United Water supply system
has not been measured yet an illustration of Terra Grande s proposal is provided. Using
United Water s average consumption per residential customer as stated in the Company
Tariffs of 208.75 ccf, and assuming the use of a 3" meter and a 65%/35% sllmmer winter
split estimated customer rates can be calculated using United Water s winter volume
charge of$.9825 and customer charge of 82.49 bi-monthly for one 3" meter. The
resulting Terra Grande customer s portion of the United Water bill would be $241.
annually or$40.30 bi-monthly. Adding Terra Grande s existing flat rate for water
service in the winter would increase each customer s bill to $72.30 for the winter months.
This of course could be higher or lower based upon what the actual usage is recorded for
each billing period.
Terra Grande also wishes to notify its customers that water usage is now being
measured by a 3" meter-installed by United Water. Accordingly, all actual usage will be
billed to Terra Grande and in turn the Company proposes to pass these costs on to its
customers. Thus, the Company requests that its customers engage in any reasonable
methods by which they can conserve the use of water. The Company believes that
conservation efforts will help to reduce the impacts of any proposed rate increase.
This request to increase rates for water service is subject to public review and a
decision by the IPUC. Copies of the filing are available at the Company s offices and the
office of the IPUC. Please call the Company during business hours at 322~2509 to make
arrangements to view the Notice at its office.
In addition to this request Terra Grande has also requested that the IPUC set just
and reasonable rates to replace and/or adjust any interim rate that it may approve for the
Company after the Company s operations are thoroughly analyzed.