20260814Notice_of_Application_Order_No_37136.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
August 14,2026
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF SCHWEITZER BASIN ) CASE NO. SCH-W-26-01
WATER LLC'S APPLICATION FOR )
AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ITS RATES ) NOTICE OF APPLICATION
AND CHARGES FOR WATER SERVICE IN )
THE STATE OF IDAHO ) NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF
PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION
DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 37436
On July 27, 2026, Schweitzer Basin Water LLC ("Company") applied to the Idaho Public
Utilities Commission ("Commission") requesting authority to increase its rates and charges for
water services ("Application"). Application at 1. The Company requested authority for a 134%
increase in its water rates. Id. at 1-2. The Company requested the proposed rate increase be
effective September 1, 2026. Id. at 2.
The Commission now issues this Notice of Application,Notice of Suspension of Proposed
Effective Date, and establishes a deadline for interested persons to intervene.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Company represents that its current rates for
service were approved in 2015 in Order No. 33543'.Id. at 1.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company represented that if its proposed rate
increase was approved,the equivalent residential unit("ERU") flat rate for a living unit that is less
than 500 square feet would increase from $39 per month to $93 per month, or $279 per quarter,
which would be an increase of$54 per month, or approximately 138%.Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company represented that if its proposed rate
increase was approved, the ERU flat rate for a living unit that is more than 500 square feet would
' Order No. 33372 was cited in the Application. However, after reviewing the record for Case No. SCH-W-15-01,
which Order No. 33372 (order granting request to extend reply comment deadline)was issued in, the Commission
believes the Company meant to cite Order No. 33543 (final order granting the Company a Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity and establishing rates for delivery of water services)issued in that case.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 37136 1

increase from $41 per month to $93 per month, or $279 per quarter, which would be an increase
of$52 per month, or approximately 127%. Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company explained its customers would be
billed quarterly for service that was provided in the previous three months and that the minimum
charge for service would be for one month.Id. at 2.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company stated that in addition to the rate
increase, there would be fee increases for its infrastructure contribution, its water tap, other lots,
in addition to a new connection transfer fee. Id. Further, the Company represented it would edit
sections 3.3 and 13.7 of its rules and regulations.Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company represented it believed the requested
increases to rates and charges were reasonable and necessary: (1)because its current rates had not
been increased since 2012,which were affirmed by the Commission in 2015 in Order No. 33543;
(2) to allow for regulatory compliance: (3) for the continuation of its system improvement
program; (4)to cover operating expenses; and(5) to allow for a reasonable rate of return.Id. at 3.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application, exhibits, workpapers, and
supplemental schedules submitted with the Application are available for public inspection during
regular business hours at the Commission's office. The Application, exhibits, workpapers, and
supplemental schedules are also available on the Commission's website at www.puc.idaho.gov.
Click on the "WATER" icon, select"Open Cases," and click on the case number as shown on the
front of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held pursuant
to the Commission's jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code, and that all proceedings in this
matter will be conducted pursuant to the Commission's Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000
et seq.
SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE
The Company filed its Application on July 27, 2026, proposing a September 1, 2026,
effective date. The Commission finds that the Company's proposed effective date does not provide
adequate time for Commission Staff("Staff'), and interested persons, to evaluate the Company's
proposal. Pursuant to Idaho Code § 61-622, the Commission suspends the proposed rate increase
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 37136 2

for 30 days and five months, or until the Commission enters an order accepting, rejecting, or
modifying the proposed rate increase, whichever comes first.
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons desiring to intervene in this matter to
obtain parties' rights of participation must file a Petition to Intervene with the Commission
pursuant to this Commission's Rules of Procedure 72 and 73, IDAPA 31.01.01.072 and -.073.
Persons who wish to intervene as a party must file a Petition to Intervene no later than 21
days after the date of service of this Order. Such persons shall also provide the Commission
Secretary with their email address to facilitate further communications. After the intervention
deadline runs, the Commission Secretary shall issue a Notice of Parties that identifies the parties
and assigns exhibit numbers to each party. Once the Notice of Parties has issued, Commission
Staff shall informally confer with the Company and any intervening parties about how to further
process this case and shall then report back to the Commission on a proposed case schedule.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons who would like to present their views
without parties' rights of participation and cross-examination do not have to intervene but may
present their views by submitting written comments to the Commission.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the following people are designated as the
Company's representatives in this matter:
Melvyn Bailey
P.O. Box 772
Sagle, ID 83860
[phone]
sbasinwaterg email.com
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the September 1, 2026, effective date the Company
proposed for its requested rate and charge increases is suspended for 30 days and five months, or
until the Commission enters an order accepting,rejecting,or modifying the proposed rate increase,
whichever comes first.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that persons desiring to intervene in this matter must file a
Petition to Intervene no later than 21 days from the service date of this Order. Once the deadline
has passed, the Commission Secretary shall prepare and issue a Notice of Parties.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 37136 3

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, after the Notice of Parties has issued, Staff shall confer
with the parties regarding a procedural schedule for this matter including, if necessary, a hearing
in this matter.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties comply with Order No. 35375, issued April 21,
2022. Generally, all pleadings should be filed with the Commission electronically and will be
deemed timely filed when received by the Commission Secretary.See Rule 14.02. Service between
parties should continue to be accomplished electronically when possible. However, voluminous
discovery-related documents may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 14th day of
August 2026.
G
EDWARD LODGE.-PRjAIDENT
JO R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER
DAYN HA IE, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
o K J7a a n c h e z
Commission Secretary
I:\Legal\WATER\SCH-W-26-01_GRC\orders\SCHW2601_ntc_app_sus_int_kr.docx
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 37136 4