20251104News Release.pdf

Idaho Public Utilities Commission Brad Littte,Governor
P.O. Box 83720. Boise. ID 83720-0074 Edward Lodge, Resident
John R.Hamnwnd, Jr.,Commissioner
Dayn Hardie,Commissioner
Case No. VID-W-25-02
Order No. 36818
Contact: Adam Rush
Office: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
NEWS RELEASE: Commission issues order on northern Idaho water utility's application to
increase rates.
BOISE (Nov. 4, 2025)—The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has issued an order on an
application submitted by a northern Idaho water utility to increase the rates it charges to provide
water service to customers.
Valiant Idaho, Inc. provides water service to 317 residential and commercial customers near
Sandpoint in Bonner County, Idaho. It sought Commission approval to increase the monthly
charge for lots with finished homes from $45 to $150 and leave the rate for lots without finished
homes on them at a monthly rate of$45.
There currently is no metered rate. Valiant Idaho also sought approval to charge $0.01 per gallon
for all consumption in excess of 7,500 gallons per month.
The utility said the rate change was needed due to increased operating costs and necessary
investments made to its system. Valiant Idaho also said the increase would help ensure the water
system remains solvent and can meet annual obligations while providing a reasonable rate of
financial return.
In its order issued Nov. 3, the Commission determined that leaving the rate for lots without
finished homes on them at $45 a month was reasonable and increasing the rate for lots with
finished homes on them from$45 a month to $67 a month was reasonable. It denied the utility's
request to charge $0.01 per gallon for all consumption in excess of 7,500 gallons per month
because not all current customers have water meters.
In its application, Valiant Idaho also sought approval to change the fees for reconnections, late
payments, returned checks and hook-ups for new customers, among other items. The utility
proposed a$2,500 reconnection charge, a late payment charge of 3 percent per quarter, a
returned check charge of$100 and a$2,500 hook-up charge for new customers. The
Commission set the reconnection charge at $20 for reconnections performed during business

hours and $40 for reconnections done outside of normal business hours, set the late payment
charge at 1 percent per month, set the returned check charge at $20 and the hook-up charge at
$600.
Additional information is available at: puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/7509.