20230731Final_Order_No_35869.pdf

ORDER NO. 35869 1
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
July 31, 2023
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF VEOLIA WATER IDAHO, INC. FOR
APPROVAL OF WATER MAIN
INSTALLATION AGREEMENT
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CASE NO. VEO-W-23-01

ORDER NO. 35869

On May 17, 2023, Veolia Water Idaho, Inc. (“Company”), filed an application
(“Application”) with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) requesting approval
of a Water Main Installation Agreement (“Agreement”) between the Company and Ada County
(the “County”).
The Company stated that the County has been awarded a grant of federal funds under the
American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) and that one of the allowable expenditures for the ARPA
funds is investments in necessary water infrastructure. Application at 1. The Company represented
that certain wells in southern Ada County are not adequate to provide drinking water to residences,
and that these residences that lack adequate water service are located within the Company’s
certificated service area. Id. at 1-2.
The Company stated that in February 2023, the Company and the County entered into the
Agreement with the intent to use ARPA funds to install water main extensions that will connect
certain residences of the County to the Company’s water system. Id. at 2. The Company
represented that under the Agreement, the Company will competitively solicit bids for constructing
the water main extensions and will submit a proposal that includes the bids for the completion of
the construction to the County. Id.
The Company also represented that under the Agreement, the County will pay the
Company for the construction of the water main extensions, and that upon completion of the water
main extensions, the residents will be able to connect to the Company’s system, under the same
conditions and subject to the same rates, charges, and rules as other Company customers. Id. The
Company represented that it will solely own the infrastructure and will treat the infrastructure as
Contribution in Aid of Construction (“CIAC”). Id.

ORDER NO. 35869 2
COMMISSION STAFF COMMENTS
The Commission Staff (“Staff”) reviewed the Company’s Application and responses to
discovery requests. Staff recommended that the Commission approve the Agreement because Staff
believed that the resulting expansion of the water system will benefit residents in the Company’s
service area at no cost to existing customers.
COMPANY REPLY COMMENTS
The Company thanked Staff for its work on the Application and the Company did not file
any reply comments.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
As of July 27, 2023, the Commission has received seven (7) public comments, all from
affected residents who hope to receive water from the Company and who support the Agreement.
The Commission also received a letter from the Ada County Commissioners recommending that
the Commission support the proposed Agreement.
COMMISSION FINDINGS AND DECISION
Veolia is a water corporation and a public utility, as defined under Title 61 of the Idaho
Code, and provides water service to the public in Idaho. Idaho Code §§ 61-125, and -129. The
Commission has jurisdiction over the Company and this matter under Idaho Code §§ 61-501, -
502, -503, -507, -520, -523, and -622.
Having reviewed the Application, all submitted comments, and all submitted materials, the
Commission finds it fair, just, and reasonable to approve the Application. The Commission
appreciates the Company’s work on this issue and the collaborative steps taken with the County to
ensure that the citizens of Idaho within the Company’s service area have access to safe and reliable
water.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Application is approved.
THIS IS A FINAL ORDER. Any person interested in this Order may petition for
reconsideration within twenty-one (21) days of the service date upon this Order regarding any
matter decided in this Order. Within seven (7) days after any person has petitioned for
reconsideration, any other person may cross-petition for reconsideration. See Idaho Code §§ 61-
626 and 62-619.

ORDER NO. 35869 3
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 31st day of
July 2023.

ERIC ANDERSON, PRESIDENT

JOHN R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER

EDWARD LODGE, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:

Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

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