20250805News Release.pdf

lr �_ Idaho Public Utilities Commission Brad LitUe,Governor
P.O. Box 83720, Boise. ID 83770-0074 Edward Lodge, President
John R.Hammond, Jr.,Commissioner
Dayn Hardie,Commissioner
Case No. GSW-W-24-01
Order No. 36703
Contact: Adam Rush
Office: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
NEWS RELEASE: Commission issues decision on northern Idaho water utility's application to
increase rates.
BOISE (Aug. 5, 2025)—The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has issued a decision on a
northern Idaho water utility's application to increase the rates and charges to provide water
service.
Gem State Water Company, LLC had sought commission approval to increase rates between 53
and 79 percent. The utility has six systems that serve customers in northern Idaho. The monthly
bill for an average customer receiving water from a 1-inch meter would have increased between
$21.65 and$27.65, depending on which system was serving them.
In its application to the commission, the utility sought approval for an increase of$602,050 in its
annual revenue requirement. Gem State Water said the increase was needed to recover the
current cost of operating and maintaining the water systems, the cost for system improvements
and investments to replace aging infrastructure. The utility said it spent money on improvements
that included generators, meters and pipes.
Customers will see an increase in their minimum monthly charge and the commodity rate per
1,000 gallons of water based on the size of their meter and which system is serving them.
Customers served by the Bar Circle S and Spirit Lake water systems and who have 1-inch meters
will see their monthly charge increase from $35 per month to $46 per month.
The commission set the commodity rate at $4.07 per 1,000 gallons after customers use their
allotted number of gallons. Some customers are allotted 7,500 gallons before the $4.07 charge
per 1,000 gallons starts, while other customers are allotted 15,000 gallons before the charge
starts. These changes apply to customers with 1-inch meters.
The increase in the monthly charges and commodity charge will give the utility an increase in its
annual revenue requirement of$373,888.

The commission also approved three new non-recurring charges that Gem State Water asked for.
The utility will be allowed to collect a$2,500 deposit for a meter assembly to connect to a fire
hydrant and purchase water during construction work. The commission determined it was a
reasonable way for the utility to encourage customers to return the meter assembly in good
condition. Gem State Water also will be allowed to charge $20 for a final meter reading on an
account and to provide a final bill to a title company when a property is sold. Additionally, the
utility will be allowed to charge $30 annually when the installation and subsequent removal of
irrigation meters each take a single visit. The utility will be allowed to charge $50 if repeat visits
are necessary.
Additional information is available at: puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/7471.