20250708Decision Memo.pdf

RWS-W-25-01
DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER LODGE
COMMISSIONER HAMMOND
COMMISSIONER HARDIE
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM: TRAVIS CULBERTSON,AUDITOR 3
JEFF LOLL,DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: JULY 8, 2025
SUBJECT: INVESTIGATION INTO RIVERVINE WATER & SEWER, LLC, OWNER
OF A WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Rivervine Water & Sewer, LLC ("Company") is a private water utility located in Ada
County near Eagle, Idaho. The Company provides water to 10 connections. The Company is not
currently regulated by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission ("Commission") and does not
possess a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. Based on Commission Staff s("Staff')
review of information obtained, Staff believes that a formal investigation is necessary to review
whether the Company is operating as a public utility that should be regulated by the Commission.
Staff recommends that the Commission open a docket initiating a formal investigation to review
if the Company should be regulated,and if so,recommend further action to comply with applicable
laws.
BACKGROUND
On August 23, 2024, Staff sent a letter to the Company indicating that Staff possessed
information that suggested the Company may be operating as an unregulated public utility within
the State of Idaho. As of June 30, 2025, the Company has not responded or provided an update.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Based on the available information, Staff believes there is evidence to merit a formal
investigation to determine whether the Company is operating as a public utility subject to the
Commission's regulatory jurisdiction. An investigation would include discovery requests to the
Company, an examination of the Company's financial records, and conclude with a
recommendation to the Commission for further action, if any.
DECISION MEMORANDUM 1 JULY 8, 2025

COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to open an investigation to review if Rivervine Water& Sewer,
LLC, should be regulated by the Commission and direct Staff to submit a recommendation after
the review is complete?
':yam �7�!_
WTravis Culbertson
Auditor 3
L\Utility\UDMEMOS\Decision Memo-Rivervine Water Sewer.docx
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2 JULY 8, 2025