970711.docx

SCOTT D. WOODBURY
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
472 W. WASHINGTON STREET
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, ID  83720-0074
[phone]
Attorney for Commission Staff
BEFORE  THE  IDAHO  PUBLIC  UTILITIES  COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION)CASE NO. UWI-W-97-3
OF UNITED WATER IDAHO INC. FOR)
AUTHORITY TO AMEND AND )COMMENTS OF THE
REVISE CERTIFICATE OF CONVENIENCE)COMMISSION STAFF
AND NECESSITY NO. 143.)
)                                              
                                                                                  )
COMES NOW  the Staff of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, by and through its attorney of record, Scott Woodbury, Deputy Attorney General, and in response to the Notices of Application and Modified Procedure in Case No. UWI-W-97-3, submits the following comments.
On June 16, 1997, United Water Idaho (UWI; Company) filed an application with the Commission requesting authorization to amend and revise its Certificate of Convenience and Necessity No. 143.  The Company proposes to enlarge and extend its service area boundaries to include the proposed Hidden Springs residential subdivision located in the Dry Creek Valley about three miles north of Hill Road.  The Company contends the contiguous area requested is not within the authorized territory of any other public water utility under the jurisdiction of the Commission, the extension will not interfere with the operations of any other water utility under the jurisdiction of the Commission, and there are no other known public utilities, persons or corporations with whom the expansion is likely to compete.
STAFF ANALYSIS
The area requested by UWI consists of approximately 5000 acres located north of Hill Road in portions of 14 sections and four Townships (see attached map).  The Company’s application to expand its certificate results from a request to provide water service to the Hidden Springs Residential subdivision.  The Hidden Springs project, generally located in Section 32, T5N, 2E is a multi-phase development that will provide 100 lots in the first phase and ultimately provide 915 lots, 100,000 sq. ft. of commercial development and numerous public facilities including a school, parks and a fire station.  Although not included in the application, the Company indicates that the Hidden Hollow landfill on Seamons Gulch Road has also requested water service.
As a result of discussions with the Company, Staff has learned that service will be provided by constructing a booster station at the existing Hidden Hollow reservoir and extending lines to a new storage reservoir that will serve the Hidden Springs development.  Construction is expected to begin within 60 days in order to provide water service to the development in the fall. Although no cost estimates have been provided, the Company’s application indicates that all special facilities costs will be borne by the developer and all distribution costs will be recovered according to existing Company line extension tariffs.  No additional water supply is proposed by the Company at this time in order to serve the development.
CONCLUSION
As a result of its review of the Company’s application, Staff does not oppose the requested expansion.  The area is contiguous to the Company’s existing service area and is neither within the existing area of any other water utility under the jurisdiction of the Commission nor does any other water utility have the capability to serve this area in the foreseeable future.  With 100% contribution from the developer for special facilities and compliance with the Company’s existing line extension tariffs, the proposed expansion should not place an undue burden on the general body of ratepayers.
DATED at Boise, Idaho, this             day of July 1997.
_________________________________
Scott D. Woodbury
Technical Staff:  Randy LobbDeputy Attorney General
sw/rl/umisc\comments\uwiw973.swr