20250418Comments_2.pdf

The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name:Tammie Houston
Submission Time: Apr 17 2025 5:17PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 30971 N Hayden Drive
Spirit Lake, ID 83869
Name of Utility Company: Gem State Water
Case ID: GSW-W-24-01
Comment: "To Whom It May Concern at the Idaho Public Utilities Commission:
I'm writing as a concerned customer to oppose Gem State Water Company's amended
application filed on February 28, 2025. If approved, their proposed rate hike—set to take
effect on or after April 1, 2025—would make our water bills much more expensive than they
already are. It just doesn't seem fair or necessary.
1. Excessive Rate Hike Amid Recent Increases
Gem State wants to bump the base monthly charge from $35.00 to$53.50—that's more
than a 50% increase. At the same time, they want to reduce the included water from 7,000
gallons to 5,000. On top of that, the per-1,000-gallon rate would jump from $1.88 to $4.50.
That means if you use just 7,000 gallons a month, your bill would shoot up from $35.00 to
$62.65. And let's not forget—they already raised rates just over a year ago.Why is this
happening again so soon?
2. Disproportionate Impact on Rural and Agricultural Communities
Many of us live in areas where water isn't just for the house—it's for gardens, animals, and
our way of life. Cutting back on included gallons and raising the cost of extra water hits our
community especially hard.Water is something we all need, and this proposal makes it
harder for everyday families to afford it.
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3. Lack of Adequate Notification and Transparency
Gem State says they sent out a notice around December 27, 2024, in a bill insert, but many
of us never saw anything. If we don't know what's happening, how are we supposed to have
a say?This whole process should be more open and better communicated to the people it
affects.
4. Questionable Justification for Revenue Increase
Their application (line 27) says these changes would bring in an extra $602,000 a year—and
that's not even including overage charges.That's a huge amount of money.Without clearer
information on how it'll be used and why it's needed so quickly after the last increase, this
just doesn't sit right.
5. Need for Regulatory Oversight and Accountability
At the end of the day, we count on the Public Utilities Commission to make sure companies
Like Gem State are operating fairly. With how often these increases are coming and how
steep they are, it's time to take a closer look. We need rates that are reasonable and a
process that puts customers first.
I hope you'll consider how this rate hike would affect the people in our community. We all
want reliable water service—but it has to be at a price we can afford. Please don't approve
this proposal without digging deeper and really listening to the public's concerns.
Thank you for your time.
Anthony and Tammie Houston
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: John Bowman
Submission Time:Apr 18 2025 1:21 PM
Email:[e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 14222 W Coeur dAlene Dr
Spirit Lake, ID 83869
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Name of Utility Company: Gem State Water
Case ID: GSW-W-24-01
Comment: "Hello;
Just joining some of my neighbors in the Spirit Lake East subdivision showing concerns of
such a drastic, all-at-once rate hike, which will most likely more than double our yearly
water rates. We are in an area of extreme fire danger, and are planning on installing an
updated sprinkler system...will this be a moot point as we can't even afford to protect our
home? We do not over-water a landscaped lawn, btw,just normal mild watering to keep
the grass from being dry, brown and hazardous to fire. This overall costs expected if this
increase goes through is more than we can handle. Thank you for your help. John"
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