20060725Kastera letter.pdf

5 TM
RECEIVED
2006 JUL 25 AM 8: 00
IDAHO PUBLIC
UTILITIES COMMISSION
July 24, 2006
C)WI -~-o1
Idaho Public Utilities Commissioners
472 West Washington Street
Boise, Idaho 83702
RE: Request for Water Service in Foothills area north of Eagle, Idaho
Dear Commissioners:
My name is Wayne S. Forrey and I am the Director of Planing and Development with
Kastera LLC ("Kastera ). Kastera is developing the Trailhead Subdivision within Ada
County in the foothills north of Eagle, Idaho. We have not yet submitted an application
with Ada County for development approval of our project, but we are within weeks of
being able to do so.
In order to develop our Trailhead project, we need water. We initially approached both
the City of Eagle and United Water Company in an attempt to determine which entity
could best provide us with the water necessary for development. We met with the City
of Eagle and learned that Eagle would not be able to provide water for at least 2 to 3
years. On the other hand, United Water Company assured us that they had capacity and
could immediately provide water to our property. Based on that information, and our
need to have a commitment for immediate water, we requested that United Water
Company provide us with water service. Perhaps you have seen the letters I have written
to United Water Company regarding this request.
The City of Eagle recently informed us that they can now provide water to our property
within 6 months. However, various engineers and water managers have told us that the
Eagle water system cannot be expanded to meet this 6 month schedule. Eagle has
informed us that we cannot be annexed unless we connect to their water system.
would be foolish for us to annex our property into the City Eagle and then wait 2 to 3
years for water service.
Various water professionals have also told us that United Water Company can in fact
provide immediate water service to our property.
372 -s: Eagle Road, Suite 375, Eagle, Idaho 83616 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] www.Kastera.com
PUC Commissioners letter page 2 of2
It would help us greatly if you could verify Eagle s ability to provide water service to our
property. Eagle s water engineer originally said it would take 2 to 3 years for water
service, now they have changed to say 6 months to 1 year for water service. What is the
real water situation in Eagle??? Does Eagle have the ability to serve our property within
6 months?
We are considering annexation into Eagle. However, if Eagle cannot provide water
within a 6 month time frame, then we would likely have United Water Company serve
our property. As stated, we are at this time attempting to verify both Eagle s and United
Water s ability to perform as claimed. We would welcome any insight that your
commission might have regarding Eagle s water system.
We regret any confusion that we may have caused. We understand that our decision
may have some service ramifications as both United Water Company and the City of
Eagle would like to provide water to developments in our area. Weare just trying to
determine who might be the best party to provide water service, given our timeline for
development. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you would
like to invite us to a future Commission meeting to discuss this issue.
GJfullY;
Wayne S. Forrey, AI
Director of Planning and Development
Cc: City of Eagle and United Water Company