20250611Comments_4.pdf

From: Matt Spears <mspears81 @gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, June 10, 2025 5:19 PM
To: secretary<[e-mail]>
Subject: GEM STATE WATER - Case No. GSW-W-24-01
GEM STATE WATER- Case No. GSW-W-24-01
Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
I am a rural customer of Gem State Water Company and am deeply concerned about the
impact of the proposed rate increase on families like mine. I am writing to formally object to
the proposed 78.8%water rate increase by Gem State Water Company. While the base rate
is set to increase from $35.00 to$62.65, the proposal also reduces the included water
allowance from 7,480 gallons to 5,000 gallons per month. The base bill would increase by
roughly 79%, but the effective cost per gallon of included water would rise by
approximately 168%.
This change severely penalizes higher water usage. As structured, water bills could easily
be doubled, tripled, or more—placing an extreme burden on those of us in rural
communities.
According to the EPA, the average American family uses over 300 gallons of water per day,
with about 70% used indoors and 30% outdoors—a figure that can be significantly higher in
rural areas like ours, especially for households situated on acreage. Based on these
averages, a monthly base water allotment should be at least 9,000 gallons just for standard
household needs. That estimate doesn't even account for additional water requirements
common in rural Idaho, such as livestock care, gardens, orchard irrigation, fire prevention,
and landscape maintenance. Reducing the included gallons while raising the base rate
compounds the hardship and ignores the real-world needs of rural families.
This rate proposal feels disconnected from the realities of life in rural Idaho. Unlike urban
neighborhoods, we cannot rely on municipal irrigation systems, sewer infrastructure, or
community fire protection.We are responsible for managing our land, animals, and safety
independently, which inherently requires more water. Penalizing this necessary usage
through reduced base allowances and increased overage fees is not only unfair—it feels
Like rural families are being financially punished for where and how they live.
Looking at the numbers above, it's clear how this proposal will severely and
disproportionately impact the very residents Gem State Water claims to serve.These
increases are not within reason by any standard, and the company's proposal appears one-
sided and lacking in consideration for rural realities. If this proposal had included a
reasonable increase in the base water allotment—say, to 15,000 gallons for rural Idaho
households—there could be room for meaningful discussion. But under the current plan,
this is simply a drastic rate hike with diminished service.
I respectfully urge the Commission to deny this rate increase as proposed. At minimum,
the Commission should require Gem State Water to provide:
•Transparency around current and proposed overage charges;

• A plan that accounts forth e real needs of rural residents, including consideration for
acreage, livestock, and essential outdoor use.
Additionally, I am concerned about Gem State Water's recent acquisition of another
community system that required significant repairs. The costs of those repairs were
distributed across all the systems they operate—effectively spreading the financial burden
to customers who had no part in that decision. This sets a troubling precedent. What is to
stop them from repeating this pattern—acquiring troubled systems and passing the costs
on to existing customers?
I urge the Commission to consider safeguards that protect customers from bearing the
cost of corporate decisions that do not directly benefit them.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I trust the Commission will protect the interests
of rural customers by denying this proposal.
Matt Spears
34534 N Saint Joe Dr
Spirit Lake, ID 83869
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Belinda Michael
Submission Time: Jun 10 2025 7:17PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 33038 N SAND CREEK DR
Spirit Lake, ID 83869
Name of Utility Company: Gem State Water Co.
Case ID: GSW-W-24-0
Comment: "GEM STATE WATER- Case No. GSW-W-24-01
Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
I am a rural customer of Gem State Water Company and am deeply concerned about the
impact of the proposed rate increase on families like mine. I am writing to formally object to
the proposed 78.8%water rate increase by Gem State Water Company. While the base rate
is set to increase from $35.00 to$62.65, the proposal also reduces the included water
allowance from 7,480 gallons to 5,000 gallons per month. The base bill would increase by
roughly 79%, but the effective cost per gallon of included water would rise by
approximately 168%.
This change severely penalizes higher water usage. As structured, water bills could easily
be doubled, tripled, or more—placing an extreme burden on those of us in rural
communities.

According to the EPA, the average American family uses over 300 gallons of water per day,
with about 70% used indoors and 30% outdoors—a figure that can be significantly higher in
rural areas like ours, especially for households situated on acreage. Based on these
averages, a monthly base water allotment should be at least 9,000 gallons just for standard
household needs. That estimate doesn't even account for additional water requirements
common in rural Idaho, such as livestock care, gardens, orchard irrigation, fire prevention,
and landscape maintenance. Reducing the included gallons while raising the base rate
compounds the hardship and ignores the real-world needs of rural families.
This rate proposal feels disconnected from the realities of life in rural Idaho. Unlike urban
neighborhoods, we cannot rely on municipal irrigation systems, sewer infrastructure, or
community fire protection.We are responsible for managing our land, animals, and safety
independently, which inherently requires more water. Penalizing this necessary usage
through reduced base allowances and increased overage fees is not only unfair—it feels
Like rural families are being financially punished for where and how they live.
Looking at the numbers above, it's clear how this proposal will severely and
disproportionately impact the very residents Gem State Water claims to serve.These
increases are not within reason by any standard, and the company's proposal appears one-
sided and lacking in consideration for rural realities. If this proposal had included a
reasonable increase in the base water allotment—say, to 15,000 gallons for rural Idaho
households—there could be room for meaningful discussion. But under the current plan,
this is simply a drastic rate hike with diminished service.
I respectfully urge the Commission to deny this rate increase as proposed. At minimum,
the Commission should require Gem State Water to provide:
•Transparency around current and proposed overage charges;
• A plan that accounts for the real needs of rural residents, including consideration for
acreage, livestock, and essential outdoor use.
Additionally, I am concerned about Gem State Water's recent acquisition of another
community system that required significant repairs. The costs of those repairs were
distributed across all the systems they operate—effectively spreading the financial burden
to customers who had no part in that decision. This sets a troubling precedent. What is to
stop them from repeating this pattern—acquiring troubled systems and passing the costs
on to existing customers?
I urge the Commission to consider safeguards that protect customers from bearing the
cost of corporate decisions that do not directly benefit them.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I trust the Commission will protect the interests
of rural customers by denying this proposal:'

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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Christopher Hovedt
Submission Time: Jun 10 2025 6:32PM
Email: Kidhotvedt(@hotmail.com
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 32300 N Newman dr
Spirit Lake, ID 83869
Name of Utility Company: Gem state water
Case ID: GSW-W-24-01
Comment: "GEM STATE WATER- Case No. GSW-W-24-01
Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
I am a rural customer of Gem State Water Company and am deeply concerned about the
impact of the proposed rate increase on families like mine. I am writing to formally object to
the proposed 78.8%water rate increase by Gem State Water Company. While the base rate
is set to increase from $35.00 to$62.65, the proposal also reduces the included water
allowance from 7,480 gallons to 5,000 gallons per month. The base bill would increase by
roughly 79%, but the effective cost per gallon of included water would rise by
approximately 168%.
This change severely penalizes higher water usage. As structured, water bills could easily
be doubled, tripled, or more—placing an extreme burden on those of us in rural
communities.
According to the EPA, the average American family uses over 300 gallons of water per day,
with about 70% used indoors and 30% outdoors—a figure that can be significantly higher in
rural areas like ours, especially for households situated on acreage. Based on these
averages, a monthly base water allotment should be at least 9,000 gallons just for standard
household needs. That estimate doesn't even account for additional water requirements
common in rural Idaho, such as livestock care, gardens, orchard irrigation, fire prevention,
and landscape maintenance. Reducing the included gallons while raising the base rate
compounds the hardship and ignores the real-world needs of rural families.
This rate proposal feels disconnected from the realities of life in rural Idaho. Unlike urban
neighborhoods, we cannot rely on municipal irrigation systems, sewer infrastructure, or
community fire protection.We are responsible for managing our land, animals, and safety
independently, which inherently requires more water. Penalizing this necessary usage
through reduced base allowances and increased overage fees is not only unfair—it feels
Like rural families are being financially punished for where and how they live.

Looking at the numbers above, it's clear how this proposal will severely and
disproportionately impact the very residents Gem State Water claims to serve.These
increases are not within reason by any standard, and the company's proposal appears one-
sided and lacking in consideration for rural realities. If this proposal had included a
reasonable increase in the base water allotment—say, to 15,000 gallons for rural Idaho
households—there could be room for meaningful discussion. But under the current plan,
this is simply a drastic rate hike with diminished service.
I respectfully urge the Commission to deny this rate increase as proposed. At minimum,
the Commission should require Gem State Water to provide:
•Transparency around current and proposed overage charges; •A plan that accounts for
the real needs of rural residents, including consideration for acreage, livestock, and
essential outdoor use.
Additionally, I am concerned about Gem State Water's recent acquisition of another
community system that required significant repairs.The costs of those repairs were
distributed across all the systems they operate—effectively spreading the financial burden
to customers who had no part in that decision. This sets a troubling precedent. What is to
stop them from repeating this pattern—acquiring troubled systems and passing the costs
on to existing customers?
I urge the Commission to consider safeguards that protect customers from bearing the
cost of corporate decisions that do not directly benefit them.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I trust the Commission will protect the interests
of rural customers by denying this proposal:'
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Keven Porter
Submission Time: Jun 11 2025 8:02AM
Email: porters81 Ccbmsn.com
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 32257 N Priest River Dr
Spirit Lake, ID 83869-5059
Name of Utility Company: Gem State
Case ID: GSW-W-24-01
Comment: "Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
I am a rural customer of Gem State Water Company and am deeply concerned about the
impact of the proposed rate increase on families like mine. I am writing to formally object to

the proposed 78.8%water rate increase by Gem State Water Company. While the base rate
is set to increase from $35.00 to$62.65, the proposal also reduces the included water
allowance from 7,480 gallons to 5,000 gallons per month. The base bill would increase by
roughly 79%, but the effective cost per gallon of included water would rise by
approximately 168%.
This change severely penalizes higher water usage. As structured, water bills could easily
be doubled, tripled, or more—placing an extreme burden on those of us in rural
communities.
According to the EPA, the average American family uses over 300 gallons of water per day,
with about 70% used indoors and 30% outdoors—a figure that can be significantly higher in
rural areas like ours, especially for households situated on acreage. Based on these
averages, a monthly base water allotment should be at least 9,000 gallons just for standard
household needs. That estimate doesn't even account for additional water requirements
common in rural Idaho, such as livestock care, gardens, orchard irrigation, fire prevention,
and landscape maintenance. Reducing the included gallons while raising the base rate
compounds the hardship and ignores the real-world needs of rural families.
This rate proposal feels disconnected from the realities of life in rural Idaho. Unlike urban
neighborhoods, we cannot rely on municipal irrigation systems, sewer infrastructure, or
community fire protection.We are responsible for managing our land, animals, and safety
independently, which inherently requires more water. Penalizing this necessary usage
through reduced base allowances and increased overage fees is not only unfair—it feels
Like rural families are being financially punished for where and how they live.
Looking at the numbers above, it's clear how this proposal will severely and
disproportionately impact the very residents Gem State Water claims to serve.These
increases are not within reason by any standard, and the company's proposal appears one-
sided and lacking in consideration for rural realities. If this proposal had included a
reasonable increase in the base water allotment—say, to 15,000 gallons for rural Idaho
households—there could be room for meaningful discussion. But under the current plan,
this is simply a drastic rate hike with diminished service.
I respectfully urge the Commission to deny this rate increase as proposed. At minimum,
the Commission should require Gem State Water to provide:
•Transparency around current and proposed overage charges; •A plan that accounts for
the real needs of rural residents, including consideration for acreage, livestock, and
essential outdoor use.
Additionally, I am concerned about Gem State Water's recent acquisition of another
community system that required significant repairs.The costs of those repairs were
distributed across all the systems they operate—effectively spreading the financial burden
to customers who had no part in that decision. This sets a troubling precedent. What is to

stop them from repeating this pattern—acquiringtrou bled systems and passing the costs
on to existing customers?
I urge the Commission to consider safeguards that protect customers from bearing the
cost of corporate decisions that do not directly benefit them.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I trust the Commission will protect the interests
of rural customers by denying this proposal.
Keven Porter
32257 N. PRIEST RIVER DR.
SPIRIT LAKE, ID. 83869
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