20241223Comments_1.pdf

The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Robert Ferrell
Submission Time: Dec 20 2024 6:20PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 1913 S Scharelant Ln
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
Name of Utility Company: Syringa Water Co.
Case ID: SWI-W-24-02
Comment: "I question why PUC is allowing Syringa Water Co.to charge the current rates and use a
punitive method of applying those rates,for 3 reasons:
1. SWC uses 5 tiers when no other regulated water company has more than 3 -why is this allowed?
2. SWC two highest tiers are $12 and $14 when no other regulated water company charges more than
$5 -why is this allowed?
3. SWC charges the 1st 20k gal at$2.50/gal and then subtracts 20k from the total usage and charges the
balance at the highest rate possible (which is exponentially punitive)when all other regulated water
companies stair step their charges from tier to tier and only revert back to the previous tier to determine
the amount to be charged for the next tier up-why is this allowed?
Below are two easy to understand examples that demonstrate just how unfair the SWC method of
calculation is for a customer using 75k gal per month,which equals 2500 gal per day, for a two month
period:
A. July usage of 75k gal would cost
monthly customer charge$60
0-20k gal (20 x$2.50) $50
20-75k gal (55 x$6.00) $330
Total for July $440
August usage of 75k gal would cost
monthly customer charge $60
0-20k gal (20 x$2.50) $50
20-75k gal (55 x$6.00) $330
Total for August $440
The total cost for July and August combined should be $880, however, if the meter is read just 2 days
later in July and therefore 2 days earlier in August the usage goes up 5k gal in July and down 5k gal in
August, but the results are unbalanced -see below.
July usage of 80k gal would cost
monthly customer charge $60
0-20k gal (20 x$2.50) $50
20-80k gal (60 x$12.00) $720
Total for July $830
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August usage of 70k gal would cost
monthly customer charge $60
0-20k gal (20 x$2.50) $50
20-70k gal (50 x$6.00) $300
Total for August $410
The total cost for July and August combined would be$1240 versus$880 that it should be which results
in an overcharge of$360 or 41%.This is caused by reverting back to 20k gal.
B. For a customer using 75k gal per month but SWC says they were unable to read the meter(with no
explanation of why and this has happened to various customers this past summer) and they advise that
the customer will only be charged for 20k gal now and the balance will be made up with the next
month's reading, resulting in the following tabulations.
July usage of 20k gal would cost
monthly customer charge $60
0-20k gal (20 x$2.50) $50
Total for July $110
August usage of 130k gal would cost
monthly customer charge $60
0-20k gal (20 x$2.50) $50
20-150k gal (130 x$14.00) $1820
Total for August $1930
The total cost for July and August combined would be$2040 versus$880 that it should be which results
in an overcharge of$1160 or 132%.
Both examples show the customer paying an unreasonable increase over a two-month period, when in
fact his usage never changed (75k gal per month).The inefficiency of SWC either reading the meter 2
days later or unable to read the meter(possibly for frivolous reasons) would cause this overcharge which
is punitive action against the customer due no fault of their own and due to the bizarre rate structure
and method of application that the SWC currently utilizes, and the Commission approved this action in
the 11/20/2024 Final Approved Tariffs for SWI-W-24-01 - how can this possibly be in the best interest of
the public?"
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