20260507Comments_2.pdf

The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Jim and Margie Dow
Submission Time: May 6 2026 6:50PM
Email:[e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 159 Stewart Drive
Blanchard, ID 83804
Name of Utility Company: Stoneridge Utilities
Case ID: SWS-W-25-02
Comment: "Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Re: Objection to Proposed Rate Increase—StoneRidge Utilities Case#SWS-W-25-02
To the Commissioners, I am writing as a resident and customer of StoneRidge Utilities to
express my concern about the current request for a significant rate increase. I'm asking
that this request be carefully reviewed, and ultimately denied, based on the circumstances
surrounding it.
About a year ago, the utility was granted a rate increase with the understanding that the
funds would be used for system upgrades. From a customer's perspective, it is not clear
what specific improvements have been completed since that increase. Before considering
another substantial increase, I believe there should be clear communication about what
has been done and how those prior funds were used.
The current request appears to be tied, at least in part, to the loss of revenue from the golf
course. However, the golf course is owned by the same company that owns StoneRidge
Utilities. Last year, the golf course made the decision to drill its own well, which eliminated
its need to purchase water from the utility. That was an internal business decision. It does
not seem reasonable that residents should now be asked to make up for that loss of
income. From the outside, it appears that money is simply being shifted within the same
ownership, while the burden is being passed on to ratepayers.
I also understand that the utility has stated it has invested approximately$900,000 in
upgrades over the past five years. At the same time, the company purchased the utility in
2018 and presumably understood the condition of the system at that time. Ongoing
investment in infrastructure is part of running a utility and should not automatically result
in repeated and significant rate increases without clear justification.
What is most concerning is the pattern that seems to be developing. Last year, a very large
increase was requested—around 200%—and a little over 20%was approved. Now,just one
year later, another increase of nearly 40% is being requested. Naturally, this raises the
question: what happens next year? It feels like residents are being asked to absorb ongoing
increases without any sense of stability or long-term plan.
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From where I sit, this request looks less like a necessity and more like an attempt to recover
the cost of the golf course well and the loss of its water purchases by charging more to
residential customers. I do not believe that is fair.
I would also like to ask a broader question. In our area, water quality and conservation are
critically important.We have had a dry winter, and summer temperatures typically reach
into the 90s for extended periods. Is there oversight in place to ensure that the utility is
meeting appropriate standards not only for pricing, but also for water quality, system
reliability, and responsible water management?Are utilities such as StoneRidge being held
to standards that truly serve the long-term well-being of the community?
I would ask the Commission to take a close look at the financial relationship between
StoneRidge Utilities and the golf course, the allocation of costs, and the actual need for
this increase. Residents should not be responsible for covering the financial impact of
internal business decisions that do not benefit them directly.
Thank you for your time and for the workyou do on behalf of Idaho residents."
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From: Calvin Coates <pondwa1 [e-mail]>
Sent:Thursday, May 7, 2026 9:21 AM
To:Adam Rush <[e-mail]>
Subject:Water rate increase
Sir- Regard the proposed rate increases for case SWS-W-25-02 for Stoneridge Utilities.
Would you please consider all of the previous rate increases. Chan has removed the golf
course from our community water,which is about 35 to 40 percent of the total water usage.
Then he uses Esprit workers, that is another company, for any work on the water system.
Moving money from one pocket to another. He has already proven that he can't operate the
sewer system. Rate increases every year with no improvements. Thanks for your time.
Calvin T Coates 104 Ironwood Dr., Blanchard, Idaho 83804.
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