28449.inv.doc

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE INVESTIGATION OF EAGLE WATER COMPANY AND ITS ABILITY TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE WATER SERVICE (IDAHO CODE 61-302) TO THE CUSTOMERS OF EAGLE SPRINGS ESTATES SUBDIVISION AND ADJACENT CERTIFICATED AREAS. )
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CASE NO. EAG-W-00-01

NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION

ORDER NO. 28449

On Monday, July 3, 2000, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, Consumer Assistance Division received 15 telephone calls from Eagle Water Company customers in the Eagle Springs Estates Subdivision complaining of low water pressure and in some cases no water at all. The subdivision is located east of Horseshoe Bend Road and south of Floating Feather Road. Eagle Water Company is a regulated public utility providing water service to approximately 2,000 customers in the Eagle area of Ada County, Idaho.
On Wednesday, July 5th the Commission received a petition signed by 25 residents of the Eagle Springs Estates Subdivision stating that the problem of low water pressure has been an ongoing problem for many months. Repeated calls to the developer and Eagle Water Company, the petitioners state, elicit promises of improvement, but little action.
On Friday, July 7, 2000, the Commission pursuant to notice held an emergency meeting regarding water service problems in the Eagle Springs Estates Subdivision. In attendance was Robert DeShazo, President of Eagle Water Company and a number of the Company’s affected customers. The Company identified the cause of the problem as equipment failure and indicated that it was taking steps to remedy the problem.
Robert DeShazo indicated that the Company lost a well on Saturday, July 1st when the pump’s variable speed controller failed. Mr. DeShazo said that the equipment was recently tested. Customers were provided with bottled water. The system was reconfigured and a new controller was installed. That equipment worked for a short time but also failed. Replacement parts were obtained from the equipment manufacturer in Chicago and water service was restored early Friday morning, July 7. The Company expressed hope that completion of a new booster pump station, construction of which was initiated last fall, will remedy the ongoing pressure problem. The Company requested assistance in obtaining electric service to the booster pump from Idaho Power Company
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that based on its review and consideration of information provided by the Commission’s Consumer Assistance Division and engineering Staff and considering also the representations of Eagle Water’s president, Robert DeShazo, the Commission finds it reasonable to open a formal investigation into the ability of Eagle Water Company to provide adequate water service (Idaho Code 61-302) to the customers of Eagle Springs Estates Subdivision and adjacent certificated areas. Reference Idaho Code 61-501 Investment of Authority.
Engineering Staff indicated that following installation of the booster a period of time would be required to monitor water pressure, collect data and evaluate same. The Commission directed the Staff to move forward with its investigation and to file a status report with the Commission in early August. . The Commission Staff was also directed to contact Idaho Power Company in an attempt to focus Idaho Power’s attention on providing electric service to Eagle Water’s booster station facility.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has jurisdiction and authority over Eagle Water Company, a water utility, and the issues presented in this case pursuant to the authority granted under Title 61 of the Idaho Code and pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.

O R D E R
In consideration of the foregoing and as more particularly described above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED and the Commission does hereby initiate a docket for investigation of Eagle Water Company and its ability to provide adequate water service (Idaho Code 61-302) to the customers of Eagle Springs Estates Subdivision and adjacent certificated areas.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED and the Commission Staff is hereby directed to initiate an investigation in this case and to file a status report with the Commission within 30 days.

DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this _______ day of July 2000.

DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

PAUL KJELLANDER, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary

vld/EAG-E-00-01_sw

NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION
ORDER NO. 28449 3

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
July 19, 2000