20240212Letter Re End of Year Usage.pdf

TETON WATER & SEWER COMPANY
February 8, 2024
Idaho Public Utilities Commission ATTN Commission Secretary PO Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720
Dear Commission Secretary: In reference to Order No. 30718, in which the Commission authorized the creation of a reserve fund, Teton Water and Sewer Company is reporting on the following projects for 2023 and the use of the reserve fund: Water Leak Repair at 45 Targhee Trail. During the winter of 2022-23, we noticed snow melting in a section of asphalt road throughout the winter. In the spring, using our leak detection equipment, we identified a leak in the area near the main line under the road. Upon excavation in April, we found that the poly line had a hole in it at the corp stop on the main line. This leak was exactly the same as the prior years on Targhee Trail. We determined it best to replace a section of poly line. Total cost for the project for 2023 was $24,612.37. Water Leak Repair at 4 Blackfoot Trail. This is a continuation of a project begun in December 2022: Reminder Text from 2022 Report: During summer of 2022, we noticed water running down the road from the edge of where the yard turf meets the asphalt for this home. The yard has a large slope running toward the road and we assumed it was water from the sprinklers running off of the yard to the street and down the street. Late fall, after the irrigation systems were winterized, we still saw some water in the same area. Using our leak detection equipment, we began searching the area for any leaks and found it at the curb stop in the yard but immediately adjacent to the stamped concrete sidewalk and asphalt driveway of the home. The appearance of the water at the street, with no moisture appearing at the curb box or in the yard told us the water was running down the slope, likely at a significant depth. The water was appearing approximately 80’ from where the leak was. With a risk of it undermining the road, we decided to excavate and make the repair in December. The leak was, like almost all others, right where the stiffener ends in the poly line coming out of the main line. This repair was about 12’ deep and, unfortunately, involved excavating not only the yard but a large piece of the concrete sidewalk and asphalt driveway. The only work done in 2022 was the excavation and repair with a total cost of $1,542.00. We will need to return in spring/summer of 2023 to remediate the yard, concrete and asphalt. 2023 Project Continuation Description: This project was completed over a few months in 2023. Beginning in May we removed all of the originally damaged concrete and landscaping and cleaned up the site. From there, we cut part of the remaining driveway, brought in fresh bedding material and poured new concrete. Also, we brought in material and returned landscaping to it’s original condition. This project was expensive as the nature of the damage was extensive to the concrete sidewalk, driveway and landscaping. Total cost for the project for 2023 was $11,795.27. The total cost of these projects, for the calendar year 2023, was $36,407.64. This amount exceeded the available funds in the reserve account for 2023. Given prior Orders from previous Cases relating to the reserve fund usage, we only paid for the $5,375.00 in asphalt work for 45 Targhee Trail and $5,665.05 of the work for 4 Blackfoot from reserve funds in 2023. The balance of the invoices for the work were paid from operating funds. Therefore, $11,040.05 of reserve funds were used against a total projects cost of $36,407.64. We have included a summary of expenses for each project, the invoices for all of these expenses as well as the Quickbooks Report showing funds in/out of the Company Reserve Account. Also included are photographs of each of the projects. A journal entry will be made in 2024 as we did in 2023 (for years 2021-22) for the remaining $25,367.59 as a credit to expense account 700.636.004 IPUC Surcharge Repairs account and debit to balance sheet account 300.333.001 Plant in Service for a possible future rate case. We request this to be processed through modified procedure. Thank you, Jon Pinardi Teton Water & Sewer Company Office [phone] Cell [phone]
RECEIVED
Monday, February 12, 2024 8:00AM
IDAHO PUBLIC
UTILITIES COMMISSION
CASE NO. TTS-W-24-01