20050923Comment.pdf

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Roger G. Siefkes
10596 North Halter Way
Bo~e, Idaho 83714
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September 22, 2005
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Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P. o. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0074
IN THE MATTER OF THE EAGLE WATER COMPANY'S REQUEST FOR A
TEMPORARY SURCHARGE
CASE NO. EAG-05-
Dear Commissioners:
I appreciate the opportunity to provide my comments concerning the request by
Eagle Water Company for a temporary surcharge to recover some of its recent
expenditures and fund future costs that will be required to improve the water
service in our neighborhood.
Let me say upfront that I am not opposed to the requested surcharge as I consider it
necessary to attain the quality of water service that is expected. I concur that the
best solution for Eagle Water Company and our neighborhood would be option
number three, in spite of the significant surcharge involved. We moved into our
home in April of 1999 and water pressure has always been a concern. Problems of
this nature that continue over an extended period of time ultimately become ",idely
known and negatively impact the resale of homes.
It is not my intent in submitting this letter to bash either the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission (IPUC) or the Eagle Water Company, but I do feel that both have
failed to some extent in this matter. I am sure that IPCU has received numerous
letters, e-mails, and phone calls in the past six plus years citing concerns about our
low water pressure. In July of 1999 we had no water at all for a period of time. It
certainly seems to me that after six plus years and numerous complaints that IPCU
would have required that positive actions be taken. I do not believe the situation is
any different today than it was in April of 1999. It also seems to me that prudent
business practices would dictate that Eagle Water Company would be striving to
make improvements on its own on a regular basis. It makes no sense to wait until a
crisis is at hand and then ask the customers to absorb a large surcharge to cover the
costs.
It is my understanding that the Shadow Ridge development, which is across
Horseshoe Bend Road from us, will be serviced by Eagle Water Company. I do not
know for certain if that is true, but if it is, I find it very difficult to understand how
IPCU could logically approve that in view of the unresolved issues in our
neighborhood.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment and hopefully there are better days
ahead relative to the water situation in Eagle Springs.
Copy: Robert V. DeShazo, Jr., President, Eagle Water Company, P. o.
Box 4555, Eagle, Idaho 83616