water.pdf

2000
ANNUAL REPORTPage 49 IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission regulates 25 privately operated
water companies varying from United Water Idaho with more than 56,000
customers to utilities serving a few homes in residential subdivisions or mobile
home parks. Regulated companies comprise less than 1-percent of approxi-
mately 2,600 systems that supply drinking water to Idahoans. Most of the
unregulated systems belong to and are run without profit by homeowners
associations. Many others are municipal systems operated by local govern-
ments.
Date
Name No. of Hook-up Mo. Residential Rates1 Rates Last
of Utility Customers Fee (unless otherwise noted) Revised
Bar Circle “S” 104 250 $15/0-7,500 gals.02/01/90
Water Inc.$0.95/1,000 gals. over 7,500 gals.
Bitterroot Water Co. 7 $750 $20/0-15,000 gals.08/12/99
$0.75/1,000 gals. over 15,000 gals.
Brian Water Co. 47 $10.50/0-4,000 gals. 05/01/99
$1.08/1,000 gals. over 4,000 gals.
Capitol Water Corp.2,740 $7.50/0-1,000 cf. 08/01/97
$1.06/100 cf. over 1,000 cf.
Country Club 82 $300 $14.00/0-30,000 gals. 02/23/90
Hills Utilities $0.35/1,000 gals. over 30,000 gals.
Eagle Water 2,102 $845 $7.84/0-600 cf. 03/25/87
Co., Inc. $0.451/100 cf. over 600 cf.
East Moreland . 16 $60 $3.25/0-6,000 gals.05/01/63
Water Co $0.10/1,000 gals. over 6,000 gals.
Evergreen Water Co. 33 $600 $15.00/0-7,500 gals. 11/10/87
$0.35/1,000 gals. over 7,500 gals.
Date
Falls Water 2,015 $500 $10.00/0-20,000 gals. 09/01/97
Co., Inc. $0.30/1,000 gals. over 20,000 gals.
Goldan, Inc. 50 $17.59/mo. 09/01/96
Grouse Point Water Co. 21 $25.00/mo. 09/01/99
Happy Valley 25 $500 $27.00/0-20,000 gals. 12/15/99
Water System $0.70/1,000 over 20,000 gals.
IPUC
Regulates
About 1% Of
Idaho’s Water
Utilities
IdahoWater Utilities
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Page 502000
ANNUAL REPORT
IdahoWater Utilities
Name No. of Hook-up Mo. Residential Rates1 Rates Last
of Utility Customers Fee (unless otherwise noted) Revised
Island Park Water Co. 259 $125/yr. 07/01/92
McGuire Estates 63 $400 $14.75/0-10,000 gals. 08/01/98
Water Co. $0.56/1,000 gals. over 10,000 gals.
Morning View 10 $22.00/mo. 06/21/90
Water Co., Inc.
Murray Water Works 25 $125 $26.00/mo. 11/01/94
+ labor
Packsaddle Estates 28 $430 $34.24/mo. 06/03/96
Water Co.
Picabo Livestock Co. 25 $500 Summer: $26.00/mo. 04/27/94
Winter: $14.00/mo.
Rickel Water Co. 10 $6,000 $30.00/0-15,000 gals. 04/25/97
$1.10/1,000 gals. over 15,000 gals.
Sargent Water Co. Purchased by Falls Water Co.07/07/98
South County Water Co. Purchased by UWI 11/19/98
Spirit Lake East Water Co.186 $193 $12.00/0-9,000 gals. 12/01/83
$1.00/1,000 gals. over 9,000 gals.
Stoneridge Water Co. 40 $925 $0.30/1000 gals.
For all consumption 12/01/99
Sunbeam Water Co. 22 $12.00/0-12,000 gals. 05/31/83
$1.20/1,000 gals. over 12,000 gals.
Troy Hoffman 144 $458 $5.50/0-3,000 gals.08/01/96
Water Co.$0.60/1,000 gals. over 3,000 gals.
United Water Idaho 66,121 Costs Summer: $14.57/bimonthly 09/05/98
in excess $1.6418/1,000 gals.
of $500 Winter: $14.57/bimonthly
$1.3134/1,000 gals.
Valley View Subdivision 49 $500 $20.00/mo. 04/10/98
$1.73/1,000 gals.
1 - The rates listed are strictly representative of residential customers and may not reflect actual
rates paid by a specific customer. These rates also do not include DEQ fees which range from $0.25
to $0.50/month per customer.
2000
ANNUAL REPORTPage 51 IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Water Utility Cases
Bitterroot Water Company
August 12, 1999
Bitterroot Water Rate Increase Approved
Case No. BIT-W-99-1, Order No. 28121
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission authorized Bitterroot Water Co.
to move from a flat monthly rate to a metered rate, and to increase its rates and
charges for water service by 32% over current revenues. New rates for metered
service were set at $20 per month plus $.75 per 1,000 gallons of water in excess
of 15,000 gallons per month. In establishing the new rates, the Commission wished
to send a conservation signal to those customers of the Company whose average
water usage can only be characterized as unusually large.
Bitterroot is a regulated water utility providing water service to approxi-
mately 54 customers in Silver Meadows Subdivision, a development located about
15 miles north of Coeur d’Alene to the west of Old State Highway 95.
Grouse Point Water Company
August 5, 1999
Commission Established Rates, Issued Certificate
Case No. GNR-W-97-1, Order No. 28110
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission issued a Certificate of Public Con-
venience and Necessity, established rates and charges, and required adoption of
general service provisions for the Grouse Point Water Company. Service terri-
tory of the company was limited to currently developed property and adjoining
well sites.
Rates were established for unmetered service at $25 per month for all
potable water consumption. Given the dual water system in the Grouse Point
Subdivision, the Commission pointed out that the approved rates are for potable
domestic water consumption and not irrigation waters, and noted the concerns
raised by the customer regarding the use of potable water for irrigation by their
neighbors. The Commission apprised customers that unrestrained use of the water
will cause the Company’s expenses to increase and will cause the Commission to
consider the appropriateness of metering.
The Grouse Point Subdivision consists of 24 lots located in Ada County
on the east side of Cloverdale Road about one-quarter mile south of Hubbard
Road and just north of the New York Canal.
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Page 522000
ANNUAL REPORT
Water Utility Cases
Happy Valley Water System
October 19, 1999
Sale Of Happy Valley Water System Approved
Case No. HVW-W-99-1, Order No. 28183
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission approved the sale of the Happy
Valley Water System from the previous owners, Jon and Richard Dunnick, to the
new owners, Joseph and Donna Brammer. Mr. and Mrs. Brammer are residents
of the subdivision within which the Happy Valley Water System provides service.
The Happy Valley Water System is a public water utility providing water
service to an approximate one-half square mile area located approximately three
miles Northwest of Coeur d’Alene in Kootenai County, Idaho. The Happy Valley
Water System serves 25 residential customers on lots ranging in size from five to
ten acres each.
Hayden Pines Water Co.
January 20, 2000
Service Authority Of Hayden Pines Water Co. Terminated;
System Now Operated By North Kootenai Water District
Case No. HPN-W-97-2, Order No. 28265
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission terminated the authority of Hayden
Pines Water Co. to provide water service, following sale of the company
and the transfer of service to the North Kootenai Water District.
The termination of the certificate of public convenience and necessity closed
pending dockets in cases involving Hayden Pines Water Co.
Stoneridge Utilities Company
November 16, 1999
IPUC Issues Certificate; Establishes Rates For Stoneridge
Case Nos. GNR-W-98-1, SWS-W-00-01; Order Nos. 28206, 28376
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission issued a Certificate of Convenience
and Necessity to Stoneridge Utilities Company, a combined water/sewer com-
pany, to provide water service to a golf resort community near the town of Blanchard
in Bonner County, Idaho.
The Commission found that Stoneridge is operating as a public utility sub-
ject to Commission jurisdiction. The Commission’s order required the Company
to separate its water and sewer operations, established approved rates and charges,
and required adoption of general service provisions.
2000
ANNUAL REPORTPage 53 IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Water Utility Cases
Troy Hoffman Water Corporation
January 20, 1999
Troy Hoffman Interim Rate Order Made Final
Case No. TRH-W-95-1, Order No. 28264
On August 31, 1995, Troy Hoffman Water Corporation, Inc. filed an
Application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission requesting authority to in-
crease its rates. The Company serves approximately 144 residential customers in
Coeur d’Alene. By Interim Order No. 26545 issued August 1, 1996, the Com-
mission approved an average increase in rates of 23%, or approximately $2.34/
month. Calculation of the revenue requirement incorporated a return on the
Company’s rate base of 12%.
The reason for the interim nature of the rates was the Company’s request
to establish a reserve for unforeseeable expenses. Rather than the 23% increase
recommended by Commission Staff, the Company requested a 30% increase to
fund a reserve. In response to the Company’s request, the Commission chose to
further explore alternatives to traditional ratemaking (including reserve accounts)
for small water companies.
Upon further investigation, the Commission noted that reserve accounts
have been approved for several “non-profit” water companies in an amount equal
to the return that the company would otherwise earn on rate base if it were a “for
profit” company; however, the Commission had not approved such accounts for
“for profit” companies such as Troy Hoffman. The Commission further noted that
single item rate cases for small water companies wherein a surcharge has been
authorized to provide a dedicated revenue stream for repayment of loans for capi-
tal expenditures have also been approved. For these reasons, the Commission
decided not to approve an increase sufficient to build a reserve account, and de-
cided to make the Company’s interim rate order final.
United Water Idaho
November 16, 1999
Sale Of Barber Water To United Water Approved
Case No. UWI-W-99-4, Order No. 28205
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission approved the sale of Barber Water
Corp. to United Water of Idaho and required a six-month rate-transition period
for Barber Water’s residential customers.
Barber Water provides service to approximately 240 residential custom-
ers in the Golden Dawn and Barberton mobile home subdivisions and the nearby
Shakespeare Festival site in southeast Boise.
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Page 542000
ANNUAL REPORT
Water Utility Cases
March 23, 2000
Southeast Boise Water Supply Project Application OK’d
Case No. UWI-W-99-5, Order No. 28300
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission approved an amended Agreement
request from United Water Idaho to reimburse Micron Technology, Inc., for
construction costs associated with the Southeast Boise Water Supply Project.
In 1995, Micron financed the $6.5 million cost of additional facilities for
expansion of water supply service to meet growing demand in southeast Boise.
Micron was to be reimbursed through customer hook-up charges.
But in 1996, the Idaho Supreme Court found that the hook-up charges
unlawfully discriminated against new customers and the Commission was required
to eliminate the connection fees. The amended Agreement presented an alternate
method for reimbursing Micron. The Agreement also specified the terms of sale
of certain United Water facilities, including the Gowan and Oregon Trail wells, to
Micron and the use of United Water facilities by Micron, such as storage struc-
tures and transmission facilities.
As a result of the Agreement, service to its other United Water Idaho
customers was not diminished and there was no immediate change in rates. How-
ever, the Commission noted that the reimbursement costs will ultimately become
part of United Water’s investment base upon which future customer rates can be
determined.
The Commission Order noted the decision reflects the Supreme Court
ruling, “which effectively determined that supply costs incurred by the company to
serve new growth are to be paid for by all of the company’s customers, not just
the new growth.”
May 16, 2000
Commission Approves Addition Of Danskin Ridge and
Saddle Ridge Subdivisions To United Water Idaho
Case No. UWI-W-00-02, Order No. 28377
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has given authorization to United
Water Idaho to extend its certificate service area boundaries to include the Ada
County residential subdivisions of Danskin Ridge (an area located southeast of
Ten Mile and West Columbia Roads) and Saddle Ridge (an area located north-
east of Black Cat and West Columbia Roads). Both areas are non-contiguous to
the Company’s present system and certificated territory.
The Commission’s order required the developer of the subdivisions to
pay for any additional well and related equipment required in the future to serve
customers. In addition, the developer was required to pay for any water treat-
ment or chlorination equipment required and necessary to serve customers in the
subdivisions.
2000
ANNUAL REPORTPage 55 IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Water Utility Cases
July 3, 2000
United Water Granted Approval To Purchase Small
Canyon County Water Company
Case No. UWI-W-00-3, Order No. 28418
United Water of Idaho was given permission by the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission to purchase a small water-supply company that serves the Mountain
View Acres subdivision in Canyon County.
The Boise-based United Water, which serves some 65,000 customers in
Ada and Canyon County, agreed to pay $20,650 plus $2,500 in acquisition costs
to purchase M&M Mountain View Acres Subdivision Water Co., which serves
24 residential customers in the subdivision. The utility application noted that cost
of service to subdivision customers, now unmetered at a flat rate of $28.50 per
month, will decrease to $50.36 bimonthly with the purchase.
Revenue collected from M&M’s customers based on the approved rate
will be such that United Water’s current customers will not be burdened by the
purchase of M&M’s assets.
The previous owners of M&M desired to convey the domestic water
system to United Water because increasingly complex regulatory requirements
made it difficult or impossible for the M&M Homeowners Association to operate
the system.
Valley View Water System
May 31, 2000
Certificate Of Convenience And Necessity Canceled
Case No. VVS-W-00-01, Order No. 28384
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission canceled the Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity for the Valley View Water System because the sys-
tem had been sold and is now part of the Valley View Water & Sewer District in
Kamiah. The Commission does not have regulatory authority or jurisdiction over
the new owner because it is a political subdivision of the state of Idaho. The
original certificate was issued to Valley View on February 10, 1998.
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Page 562000
ANNUAL REPORT
More than 800 miles of railroad track in Idaho have been abandoned
since 1976. Rail line abandonments are governed by federal law, with the
federal Surface Transportation Board (STB, successor to the Interstate Com-
merce Commission) deciding the final outcome of abandonment applications.
Under Idaho law, however, after a railroad files its federal notice of intent to
abandon, the IPUC must determine whether the proposed abandonment would
adversely affect the public interest. The Commission then reports its findings to
the STB.
In reaching a conclusion, the Commission considers whether abandon-
ment would adversely affect the service area, impair market access or access of
Idaho communities to vital goods and services, and whether the line has a
potential for profitability.
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission conducts inspections of Idaho’s
railroads to determine compliance with state and federal laws, rules and regula-
tions concerning the transportation of hazardous materials, locomotive cab
safety and sanitation rules, and railroad - highway grade crossings.
Hazardous material inspections are conducted in railyards and at
shipping facilities. In 1994, Idaho was invited to participate in the Federal
Railroad Administration’s State Participation Program. The Commission has a
State Program Manager and one FRA certified hazardous material inspector.
Since 1997, the IPUC has been working with Railroads, Labor Unions,
and the FRA to improve locomotive cab working conditions. This includes
random inspections to determine overall cab cleanliness, sanitation facilities, first
aid requirements and the availability of fresh cold drinking water.
The IPUC inspects railroad-highway grade crossings where incidents
occur, investigates citizen complaints of unsafe or rough crossings and conducts
surveys of railroad crossings.
Regulating Idaho’s Railroads
Operation Lifesaver
Idaho Operation Lifesaver is a non
profit state organization that is dedicated to
increasing public awareness of the potential
dangers that exist at highway-rail grade
crossings and around trains in general.
Volunteers from various sponsoring groups and other interested indi-
viduals staff the organization. Because of the IPUC’s railroad safety oversight,
it has taken a leading role in sponsoring and supporting Idaho Operation
2000
ANNUAL REPORTPage 57 IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Regulating Idaho’s Railroads
August 9, 1999
IPUC Authorizes Closing Of “Old” Union Pacific Grade
Crossing At City Of Ponderay; Cites Safety Factors For
Decision To Close Crossing
Case No. UPR-R-99-1, Order No. 28016
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission authorized Union Pacific Railroad
Company to close a railroad crossing at milepost 76.12 in Ponderay. The
Commission order cited safety concerns over the increase in rail traffic on the
line and in vehicles using the crossing to gain access to commercial facilities.
The Commission order delayed the actual closing until October 1, 2000,
in order for local and state officials to plan alternate transportation access to
mitigate the impact of the closure.
Union Pacific initially sought closure of the crossing in 1986. The
crossing is located in a commercial area near the Bonner Mall, State Highway
200 and a new section of U.S. Highway 95. A new crossing located approxi-
mately one-third mile from the old crossing was built to provide access to the
commercial area and allow for the closing of the old crossing. But appeals from
the City of Ponderay and local businesses that the closure would adversely
affect business and cause public inconveniences delayed final action on the
closure request.
In the order, the Commission noted that vehicle traffic at the old crossing
has more than tripled since 1986. At the same time train traffic on the rail line
has increased due to mainline trains and yard operations at the crossing area. In
addition, the order says parked rail cars on either side of the crossing impair the
visibility of trains operating on the track, further affecting vehicle traffic safety.
Lifesaver. IPUC staff member Chris Maschmann is the area coordinator.
Volunteer staff members talk to approximately 130,000 people each year at
presentations and safety booths.
It is the intent of the program to achieve its goal by using:
(1) Education – Educate the public about trains by providing safety presen-
tations and by operating informational booths.
(2) Engineering – Work with government entities, businesses and railroads
to improve highway/rail intersections.
(3) Enforcement – Work with law enforcement agencies and railroads to
enforce traffic laws pertaining to highway/rail intersections.
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Page 582000
ANNUAL REPORT
June 16, 2000
Requests To Keep Ponderay Railroad Crossing Open
Denied
Case No. UPR-R-99-1, Order No. 28415
Petitions by the City of Ponderay and two businesses to keep a Union
Pacific Railroad crossing open have been turned down by the Idaho Public
Utilities Commission.
The city had asked the PUC to stay its earlier ruling allowing the
railroad to close the crossing, but the PUC denied the request. As a result, two
businesses that were not a part of the original case, asked the PUC to recon-
sider its denial of the city’s request for a stay.
The two businesses, in seeking the reconsideration, contended that the
closure would result in the loss of jobs to the businesses and the community.
The Commission noted in its denial that studies are in progress to find
alternative access points for the businesses so that the economic hardships will
be mediated. In the meantime, the Commission noted that “public safety com-
pels closure of this crossing.”
June 28, 2000
PUC Wants Feds To Rethink Hearing Decision On
Railroad Abandonment
Case No. CPR-R-00-1
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission appealed to the federal Surface
Transportation Board to rethink its decision not to hold public hearings in Idaho
on Camas Prairie RailNet’s application to abandon the railroad line between
Spalding and Grangeville.
Camas Prairie RailNet wants to abandon about 66 miles of railroad
from Grangeville to near Lewiston, the only rail link between the Camas Prairie
and the port of Lewiston.
The federal Surface Transportation Board ruled that it would receive
written testimony on the abandonment request, rather than hold a public hearing
in Idaho. The PUC noted that the federal agency’s budget constraints have
been cited as a possible reason for not holding Idaho hearings, and asked the
board for clarification on that issue.
The PUC, in its request to the board, noted that the level of concern
about the abandonment and the economic ramifications make it important that
cross-examinations at public hearings be conducted.
Regulating Idaho’s Railroads
2000
ANNUAL REPORTPage 59 IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Railroad Activity Summary
Fiscal Year 1999
Tank Cars Inspected 507
Freight Cars Inspected 285
Trains Inspected 28
Defects Disclosed 137
Violation Reports to FRA 5
Crossing Accidents Investigated 32
Crossing Complaints 46
Crossings Surveyed 112
Locomotives Inspected 129
Locomotives with Deficiencies 84
Railroads In Idaho
Regulating Idaho’s Railroads
Palouse River Railroad
709 N. 10th Street
Walla Walla, Washington 99362
509/522-1464
Idaho Track Miles: 2
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad
176 East 5th Street
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
208/263-2016
Idaho Track Miles: 194
Camas Prairie Railnet
325 Mill Road
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
208/798-8393
Idaho Track Miles: 174
Eastern Idaho Railroad
618 Shoshone Street West
Twin Falls, Idaho 83301
208/733-4686
Idaho Track Miles: 267
Idaho Northern & Pacific
P.O.Box 715
Emmett, Idaho 83617
208/365-6353
Idaho Track Miles: 102
Montana Rail Link
P.O.Box 8779
Missoula, Montana 59807
406/523-1500
Idaho Track Miles: 34
St. Maries River Railroad
318 North 10th Street
St. Maries, Idaho 83861
208/245-4531
Idaho Track Miles: 71
Union Pacific Railroad
1416 Dodge Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68179
208/343-1771
Idaho Track Miles: 1,096