20250106News Release.pdf

Idaho Public Utilities Commission Brad Litile,Governor
P.O. Banc 83720. Boise, ID 83720-0074 Eric Anderson, President
Ain R.Mammo* Jr,Cbmmissloner
Edward Lodge,Commissioner
Case No. SWS-W-24-01
Order No. 36407
Contact: Adam Rush
Office: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
NEWS RELEASE: Commission approves general rate increase for northern Idaho water utility.
BOISE (Jan. 6, 2025)—The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will allow a northern Idaho
water utility to increase the rates it charges customers to provide water service.
CDS Stoneridge Utilities, LLC serves approximately 384 residential and commercial customers
in the Blanchard, Idaho, area. It informed customers that a proposed increase in monthly user
fees and non-recurring fees was necessary to allow the utility to eliminate a net loss it has been
incurring for the last five years. The utility also said it has invested more than $900,000 since an
ownership transfer in 2018. In its application submitted to the commission, it had asked for
approval to increase rates for customers by an average of 261 percent. That would have
generated a$555,190 overall increase in the utility's revenues.
The commission approved a general rate increase of 18.6 percent. Customers who have a 3/4 inch
meter(the most common for CDS Stoneridge Utilities) and who use 10,000 gallons each month
will see their monthly bills increase from $31.90 to $37.11. Customers who have a 2-inch meter
and who use 70,000 gallons each month will see their monthly bills increase from $225.97 to
$262.89.
In addition, the commission will allow the utility to charge $18.50 to reconnect a customer to its
system during business hours and$33.50 after business hours if that customer is reconnected
within 30 days or less after disconnecting, charge $20 for a returned check fee and charge 1
percent per month for late payments. The utility had asked for a reconnection fee of$50 during
office hours and $80 after office hours for customers reconnecting within 30 days of
disconnecting. It also asked for a $25 charge for returned checks, and a late payment charge of
10 percent or a$5.00 minimum charge.
Additional information is available at: puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/7277.