20250514Comments_2.pdf

The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: David Puccetti
Submission Time: May 14 2025 9:27AM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 1159 E Amulet Cir
Rathdrum, ID 83858
Name of Utility Company: Gem State
Case ID: GSW-W-24-0
Comment: "The area where Gem State is proposing rate increases while decreasing the
base water allotment is generally all lots of land over 5 acres. The base proposed allotment
barely covers usage in the household with 4 people. These homes have large yards that
need to be watered to be maintained well and will use a significant amount of water during
the summer months. Many of the local households are elderly residents on fixed incomes.
A rate increase of this size places a substantial burden on residents with modest means.
Many would have to resort to not maintaining their outside areas. This would cause those
residents to lose a substantial amount of money in property value and also drag down
property values for everyone.
Thank you for reading. "
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Thomas Smith
Submission Time: May 14 2025 10:09AM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 3328 W CJ CT
Rathdrum, ID 83858
Name of Utility Company: Gem State Water
Case ID: GSW-W-24-0

Comment: " May 14, 2025
From:Thomas J Smith
3328 W CJ CT
Rathdrum, ID 83858
To: Idaho PUC
P.O. Box 3720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
RE: Case#GSW-W 24-01
Gem State Water, LLC rate increase
Dear PUC
I believe the proposed rate increase and reduction in base water usage is very
unreasonable.
This is the third rate increase in approximately eight years. The first increase was when we
were Diamond Bar Estates Water. We were told it was for improvements and expenses.
Shortly thereafter the company was sold to Gem State Water. Gem State had to do repairs
and upgrades that were not disclosed by the seller. Gem state personnel told me they were
taking legal action to recover their costs to do the upgrades and repairs. Gem State was
then sold to another company that kept the same name. Three years ago, Gem State
proposed the second rate increase for upgrades and expenses. Now a third rate increase is
being proposed for upgrades. The company also wants to consolidate numerous water
systems into one rate.
Diamond Bar Water was already upgraded and rates increased for those upgrades. Did
Gem State Water receive money to pay for those upgrades and repairs from their legal
challenge against the original seller?
The proposed rate increase includes the increased cost of utilities. My electric rates have
not increased that much. Why would their rates go up more than a residential customer? I
believe companies receive lower rates than residential customers.
Gem State Water's communication with Diamond Bar customers is poor if not deceitful.
When the last rate increase was proposed they mailed notifications to us. The notification
indicated no rate increase for Diamond Bar customers; however, the actual proposal called
for doubling the per 1000-gallon overage charge which was approved. My neighbors and I
did not know anything about this increase until after it took effect due to the misleading
incomplete notification.

Recently the same type of misleading incomplete notification was mailed to Diamond Bar
customers for another rate increase.This recent notification dated February 28, 2025,
indicated a 53% increase for a 7000 gallon median bill. The actual proposed rate increase
proposes to lower our base usage from 7500 gallons per month to 5000 gallons per month
almost guaranteeing we will be over our base usage every month. The notification did not
mention this. The actual proposal also proposes to increase our per 1000 gallon overage
charge by almost 100%to $4.50 per 1000 gallons. The notification did not mention this
either. This appears very deceitful as if they do not want to tell their customers the truth
about the proposed increases so there are less customers opposed to the increases.
During the summer of 2023 just after our Diamond Bar system was upgraded and the last
rate increases were implemented, our usage and bills went up tremendously. One month
my bill indicated I used 160,000 gallons. Then in February 2024 1 quietly received a 150,000
gallon credit. No explanation or communication from the company for the apparent
mistake or malfunction of the new meters. The bills now reflect our usage in cubic feet
instead of gallons. The customer must do the math to figure out how many gallons they
use each month. This is very unreasonable and confusing as we are charged bythe gallon
not cubic feet.
I believe the rate increase and usage reduction for Diamond Bar customers and the
consolidation with numerous other water systems is very unreasonable. Each system
should be independent. Why should customers on systems with upgraded equipment and
no issues have to pay for upgrades, repairs etc. on other systems.
I strongly urge you to reject the reduced water allocation, rate increases and consolidation.
Respectfully
Thomas J. Smith"
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