HomeMy WebLinkAbout20221101_ROCW2101_cb.pdfDECISION MEMORANDUM 1
DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSIONER CHATBURN
COMMISSIONER HAMMOND
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM: CHRIS BURDIN
DEPUTYS ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: NOVEMBER 1, 2022
SUBJECT: IN THE MATTER OF THE FORMAL COMPLAINT OF NICOLE
BURBANK AGAINST THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN UTILITY COMPANY,
INC; CASE NO. ROC-W-21-01.
On May 25, 2022, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) issued Order
No. 35418. The Commission ordered Rocky Mountain Utility Company, Inc. (“Company”) to
“take daily water pressure readings from appropriate locations on the Company’s water system for
14 days.” Order No. 35418 at 11. On October 13, 2022, the Company submitted a spreadsheet
containing water pressure readings and a map showing the location of each reading.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff requested 14 consecutive days of pressure readings, with readings twice a day during
times when the Company experiences its peak-demand (between 7am and 9am in the morning;
7pm and 9pm at night). According to the data provided by the Company, Staff notes that from
9/21/22 through 10/4/22, the range of system pressure was maintained between 68 and 70 pounds
per square inch (“PSI”). Staff notes this is above the 20 PSI minimum that the Department of
Environmental Quality requires.
Staff also requested a system map locating the point where the pressure readings were taken
and the location of Ms. Burbank’s residence. The distance was approximately 4 lots distance, or
approximately 450 feet, which is closer than 90% of the rest of the lots within the subdivision.
Based upon its review, Staff does not believe the Company is experiencing any pressure-
related problems. However, Staff notes that the timeframe of the data is only two weeks, and it is
somewhat outside of the irrigation season. If the Company alters how it operates its system, if its
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2
wells experience efficiency issues or downtime, or if customers water lawns during the same times
of the day during the irrigation season, these types of occurrences could affect system pressure.
Further, Staff notes that the Company is out of compliance with the Commission Order due
to the timeliness of the reported data. Order No. 35485 states:
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Company shall take daily water pressure
readings from appropriate locations on the Company’s water system for 14 days,
starting the day after the issuance of this Order. At the end of the 14-day water
pressure testing period the Company shall submit a report to the Commission
containing the daily water pressure readings within 21 days of issuance of this
Order.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to accept the Company’s untimely submission and find that the
Company has complied with Order No. 35418?
__________________________
Chris Burdin
Deputy Attorney General
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