HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230515Application CORRECTED.pdf
601 W. Bannock Street
PO Box 2720
Boise, ID 83701
Main: 208-388-1200
www.givenspursley.com
Preston N. Carter
Direct: 208-388-1222
prestoncarter@givenspursley.com
May 15, 2023
VIA EMAIL
Ms. Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Re: Falls Water Co., Inc. – Case No. FLS-W-23-01
Dear Ms. Noriyuki:
Enclosed for filing with this Commission please find Falls Water Co., Inc.’s (“Falls
Water”) corrected Application and attachments. This replaces the Application previously filed on
May 12. The following changes were made:
1. Paragraph 5 of the Corrected Application has been changed from 44.3% to 47.3%.
2. Paragraph 3 of Attachment 3 – Press Release has been changed from $1,175,000
to $1,174,000.
3. Paragraph 4 of Attachment 4 – Notice to Customers has been changed from
$1,250,000 and 50.34% to $1,174,000 and 47.3%.
4. The case number has been added to the final sentences in Attachment 3 and 4.
If you should have comments or questions regarding this, please contact me (208-388-
1222).
Sincerely,
Preston N. Carter
cc: Eric Nelsen
16754460_1.docx
RECEIVED
2023 May 15, 3:05PM
IDAHO PUBLIC
UTILITIES COMMISSION
APPLICATION PAGE 1 OF 5
Preston N. Carter, ISB No. 8462
Morgan D. Goodin, ISB No. 11184
GIVENS PURSLEY LLP
601 West Bannock Street
P.O. Box 2720
Boise, Idaho 83701-2720
Office: (208) 388-1200
Fax: (208) 388-1300
prestoncarter@givenspursley.com
morgangoodin@givenspursley.com
[16734991_5.docx]
Attorneys for Falls Water Co., Inc.
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF FALLS WATER CO., INC. FOR THE
AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ITS RATES
AND CHARGES FOR WATER SERVICE
IN THE STATE OF IDAHO
Case No. FLS-W-23-01
APPLICATION
Falls Water Co., Inc., (“Falls Water,” “Applicant,” or “Company”) hereby moves the
Idaho Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) requesting an Order approving revisions to
Applicant’s schedules of rates and charges for water service in the State of Idaho to become
effective on or after July 1, 2023.
Please address communications regarding this Application to:
Preston N. Carter
Morgan D. Goodin
Givens Pursley LLP
601 W. Bannock St.
Boise, Idaho 83702
prestoncarter@givenspursley.com
morgangooodin@givenspursley.com
stephaniew@givenspursley.com
Eric W. Nelsen
Senior Regulatory Attorney
NW Natural
250 SW Taylor St.
Portland, Oregon 97204
eric.nelsen@nwnatural.com
K. Scott Bruce
Falls Water Co., Inc.
2180 North Deborah
Drive
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
scott1@fallswater.com
In support of this Application, Falls Water states and alleges as follows.
APPLICATION PAGE 2 OF 5
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
1.Falls Water is a regulated public utility, and a water corporation, subject to the
jurisdiction of the Commission. Falls Water operates under CPCN No. 236, as amended.
2.Falls Water provides water service to approximately 6,510 residential and
commercial customers in the State of Idaho in an area generally north of the City of Ammon and
northeast of the City of Idaho Falls in Bonneville County, Idaho.
3.Falls Water’s office and principal place of business is 2180 North Deborah Drive,
Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83401.
4.Falls Water’s operations, rates and charges for service, and related matters have
been reviewed and approved in several proceedings before the Commission. Falls Water’s most
recent rate case was filed in 2020 as Case No. FLS-W-20-03.
REQUESTED CHANGES TO RATES,CHARGES, AND RELATED MATTERS
5.Falls Water proposes to increase the revenue collected through rates by
approximately $1,174,000. This request represents a revenue increase of approximately 47.3%.
6.The changes to rates and charges proposed in this Application are just and
reasonable. If the changes are approved as proposed, the expected rate of return to the Company
will be approximately 7.71%, which is a fair rate of return on the Company’s investment in
property used and useful in rendering water utility services.
7.Under its presently authorized rates, the Company is earning a rate of return of
approximately -0.67% based on an adjusted test year ended December 31, 2022. The Company
seeks additional revenues to recover increased operating expenses, costs associated with plant
additions, and revenues necessary to produce a fair rate of return to enable continued adequate
and reliable service.
APPLICATION PAGE 3 OF 5
8.In addition to the changes to rates and charges, Falls Water proposes to
consolidate the rates for former Morning View and Taylor Mountain system customers into a
single ratemaking area with Falls Water customers.
9.Falls Water also proposes to increase tiered rates for three different usage bands,
and to establish a separate rate for secondary irrigation systems as described further in the direct
testimony that accompanies this Application.
10.To support this Application, Falls Water has filed the direct testimony, with
accompanying exhibits, of: K. Scott Bruce, General Manager of Falls Water; Adam Rue, Rates
and Regulatory Water Program Manager with NW Natural; Jeremy Aird, Accounting Director
for NW Natural Water; and Harold Walker III, a consultant with Gannett Fleming Valuation and
Rate Consultants, LLC.
11.This testimony and the accompanying exhibits include information regarding the
Company’s finances, revenue analysis, and explanation regarding cost of service, and supporting
work papers that justify and support the changes proposed in this Application.
12.The proposed changes in rates and charges are shown in clean and redline on the
proposed tariff attached as Attachments 1 and 2 to this Application.
13.Notice to Falls Water’s customers is being accomplished by news media releases
concurrent with this Application and by an individual notice delivered to each customer. Copies
of the press release and customer notices are attached to this Application as Attachment 3 and
Attachment 4.
14.A copy of the Application and Falls Water’s current rate schedules are available
for review by the public on the Commission’s website at www.puc.idaho.gov. The Application
can be accessed by selecting Water – Open Cases – FWS-W-23-01.
APPLICATION PAGE 4 OF 5
15.Falls Water’s current rate schedules and tariffs can be accessed online at
www.puc.idaho.gov by selecting File Room – Tariffs, Prices Lists & Filing Instructions –
Approved Tariffs and Price Lists – Water Tariffs – Falls Water Company, Inc.
16.A copy of the Application is also available for public review at the offices of the
Commission, and at the Company’s office at the address set forth above.
17.This Application is a proposal, subject to public review and a Commission
decision. Customers may file written comments about this Application with the Commission.
Customers may subscribe to the Commission’s RSS feed for periodic updates on this Application
by email.
18.Falls Water stands ready for immediate consideration of this Application through
whatever procedure the Commission deems appropriate, whether modified procedure, a technical
hearing, or otherwise.
REQUEST FOR RELIEF
19.For the reasons set forth above, and in the accompanying testimony and exhibits,
Falls Water respectfully requests:
a.That this Application be heard and acted upon at the earliest possible date;
b.That the Commission approve the changes proposed in this Application and
accompanying testimony and exhibits, effective July 1, 2023; and
c.That the Commission grant such other relief as the Commission may determine
proper under the circumstances.
DATED May 15, 2023.
GIVENS PURSLEY LLP
By
Preston N. Carter
Attorneys for Falls Water Co., Inc.
APPLICATION PAGE 5 OF 5
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that on May 15, 2023, I caused to be served a true and correct copy of the
foregoing document to the person(s) listed below by the method indicated:
Jan Noriyuki, Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
11331 W. Chinden Blvd., Bldg. 8, Suite 201-A
Boise, ID 83714
jan.noriyuki@puc.idaho.gov
_________________________________________
Preston N. Carter
FALLS WATER CO.,INC.
FLS-W-23-01
Attachment 1
Proposed Tariff - Clean
Issued May 5, 2022 Issued by Falls Water Co., Inc.
Effective K. Scott Bruce, General Manager
1 of 8
Issued May 5, 2022 Issued by Falls Water Co., Inc.
Effective K. Scott Bruce, General Manager
2 of 8
Schedule No. 1
General Metered Service Rates
Availability: To all metered customers not served under another schedule.
Minimum Customer Charge and Block Volumes:
Meter Size
Gallons Allowed
in Minimum
Charge (First
Block)
Gallons in Block
Volume
(Second Block)
Gallons in Block
Volume (Third
Block) Monthly
Minimum Charge
5/8” and ¾” 8,000 16,000 24,000 $27.60
1” 11,000 22,000 33,000 $38.90
1 ½” 15,000 30,000 45,000 $50.15
2” 19,000 38,000 57,000 $63.75
4” 33,000 66,000 99,000 $113.90
Commodity Charge: Rate per 1,000 Gallons of Use
First Block Included In Minimum Charge
Second Block $0.69 per gallon
Third Block $1.55 per gallon
Contract Conditions:
The customer shall pay the total of the minimum customer charge plus the commodity charge.
The commodity charge is based on all metered water in excess of the maximum gallons allowed
in the minimum customer charge for the respective usage block in the billing period.
Consumption is expressed in 1,000-gallon units as expressed by the meter installed by the
Company. The minimum customer charge will apply even when service is provided for less than
the entire billing period.
Meter Reading Schedule:
Meters for all customers, residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, apartment buildings
with two or more units, and condominiums will be read monthly year-round.
Issued May 5, 2022 Issued by Falls Water Co., Inc.
Effective K. Scott Bruce, General Manager
3 of 8
Schedule No. 2
Non-Recurring Charges
1. RECONNECT FEES:
This charge is applicable to all customers where water has been physically turned off for non-
payment of a delinquent bill.
Rates: Each Occurrence
During regular office hours (Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm) $ 20.00
After office hours $ 40.00
2. FIELD COLLECTION FEE:
This charge is applicable to all customers who pay outstanding bills for service at the time
that Company personnel arrive at the customers’ premises to terminate service.
Rate: Each Occurrence
Field Collection Fee $ 15.00
3. HOOKUP CHARGES:
This charge is applicable when a new service is connected to the system for the first time.
Meter Size of New Connection One Time Charge
¾” Meter $ 500.00
1” Meter $ 600.00
1 ½” Meter $ 930.00
2” Meter $1,205.00
When the installation of a new service line requires the Company to bore a line under a road,
all additional costs will be charged to the customer on a time and materials basis. The new
customer may, at their option, hire a Falls Water Company approved independent contractor to
perform the road bore and connection. The Company will require such contractor to show
proof of bonding, licensing and insurance and have at least five (5) years of experience at hot
tapping water lines. Falls Water Company will inspect and approve all the work being
performed to ensure compliance with the Company’s installation requirements.
Issued May 5, 2022 Issued by Falls Water Co., Inc.
Effective K. Scott Bruce, General Manager
4 of 8
Schedule No. 2
Non-Recurring Charges (Cont’d)
4. RETURNED CHECK CHARGE:
This charge is applicable to all customers where the customer's check or bank draft is
returned by the bank for insufficient funds, closed account, or some other appropriate
reason.
Rate: Each Occurrence
Returned check charge each occurrence $20.00
5. METER TEST AT CUSTOMER REQUEST CHARGE:
This charge is applicable when the customer requests the Company to test the accuracy of a
meter in the case of a disputed bill.
Rate: Each Occurrence
Error in meter registration of 1.5% or less $10.00
6. LATE PAYMENT CHARGE:
This charge is based on the unpaid balance at the time of the next billing date.
Rate:
1% of delinquent balance per month.
Schedule No. 3
Recurring Charges
Secondary Irrigation Rate NON-METERED CUSTOMERS
Monthly Charge $16.85
The Secondary Irrigation Rate applied to customers receiving service for secondary irrigation.
Issued May 5, 2022 Issued by Falls Water Co., Inc.
Effective K. Scott Bruce, General Manager
5 of 8
14. Special Provisions or Amendments
14.1 It shall be the responsibly of the Customer to keep the area within three
(3) feet of a fire hydrant clear from snow, trees, brush, weeds, growth,
fences, or any other obstructions if a fire hydrant is located upon or
adjacent to the customer’s premises.
15. Equal Pay Plan
15.1 The Residential Equal Play Plan: The Equal Pay Plan is available to
Residential Customers, desiring equal payments for water service. A
Residential Customer may enroll in the Equal Pay Plan at any time during
the year. To be eligible for the Equal Pay Plan, the customer must have a
minimum of 12 consecutive months or service at the current location and
have no past due balances owing at the time of enrollment.
The levelized monthly payments will approximate the 12-month average
of the most current bills. Equal Pay amounts will be recalculated annually
at the 12-month anniversary of the date the customer began paying their
most current Equal Pay Amount. The new monthly payment will be the
recalculated Equal Pay amount. A customers’ Equal Pay amount may
increase, decrease, or stay the same from year to year.
Customers with a negative (underpaid) balance in their Equal Pay account
at the time of recalculation will the new monthly Equal Pay charges equal
to the recalculated Equal Pay amount plus one-twelfth of the negative
balance. At the customer’s optoon, a negative balance may be paid in full
and disregarded for the purposes of calculating the next periods Equal pay
amount. If the negative balance exceeds 25% of the estimated annual bill
for the ensuing annual period, the Company may require that the negative
balance be paid in full. Customers with a positive balance exceeding $25 in
their Equal Pay account at the time of the recalculation may be refunded
at the customer’s request. If no request is made the monthly Equal Pay
charge will be equal to the recalculated Equal Pay amount reduced by one-
twelth of the positive balance. Upon termination of the Equal Pay
agreement, after all charges for services are paid, positive balances will be
refunded.
Issued May 5, 2022 Issued by Falls Water Co., Inc.
Effective K. Scott Bruce, General Manager
6 of 8
Estimates of future costs based on historical changes furnished by the
Company should not be construed by the customer as a guarantee that
the total actual changes will be exceed the estimates. In the event of a
significant changes in rates for water service or substantial deviation from
the customer’s historical water consumptions, the Company may at any
time submit a revised estimate to the customer and require that the
customer pay the revised monthly Equal Pay installment amount as a
condition of continuation in the Equal Pay Plan.
The Equal Pay amount will be billed monthly. Once established, the Equal
pay will remain in effective from year to year until the customer notifies
the Company not less than 30 days prior to the desired date of
cancellation or unless the customer fails to pay the Equal Pay amount.
FALLS WATER CO.,INC.
FLS-W-23-01
Attachment 2
Proposed Tariff - Redline
Falls Water Co., Inc.
Sheet 11
Replaces All Previous Sheets
Issued May 5, 2022 Issued by Falls Water Co., Inc.
Effective K. Scott Bruce, General Manager
1 of 8
Falls Water Co., Inc.
Sheet 11
Replaces All Previous Sheets
Issued May 5, 2022 Issued by Falls Water Co., Inc.
Effective K. Scott Bruce, General Manager
2 of 8
Schedule No. 1
General Metered Service Rates
Availability: To all metered customers not served under another schedule.
Minimum Customer Charge and Block Volumes:
Meter Size
Maximum
Gallons Allowed
in Minimum
Charge (First
Block)
Gallons in Block
Volume
(Second Block)
Gallons in Block
Volume (Third
Block)
MMonthly
Minimum Charge
5/8” and ¾” 128,000 16,000 24,000 $18.7527.60
1” 117,000 22,000 33,000 $26.4038.90
1 ½” 2215,000 30,000 45,000 $34.0550.15
2” 2819,000 38,000 57,000 $43.3063.75
4” 4933,000 66,000 99,000 $77.35113.90
Commodity Charge: Rate per 1,000 Gallons of Use
Forirst Block all water use in excess of the maximum
gallons allowed in minimum charge.
$0.917Included In Minimum
Charge
Second Block $0.69 per gallon
Third Block $1.55 per gallon
Contract Conditions:
The customer shall pay the total of the minimum customer charge plus the commodity charge.
The commodity charge is based on all metered water in excess of the maximum gallons allowed
in the minimum customer charge for the respective usage block in for the billing period.
Consumption is expressed in 1,000 gallon1,000-gallon units as expressed by the meter installed
by the Company. The minimum customer charge will apply even when service is provided for
less than the entire billing period.
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Falls Water Co., Inc.
Sheet 11
Replaces All Previous Sheets
Issued May 5, 2022 Issued by Falls Water Co., Inc.
Effective K. Scott Bruce, General Manager
3 of 8
Meter Reading Schedule:
Meters for all customers, residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, apartment buildings
with two or more units, and condominiums will be read monthly year roundyear-round.
Schedule No. 2
Non-Recurring Charges
1. RECONNECT FEES:
This charge is applicable to all customers where water has been physically turned
off for non-payment of a delinquent bill.
Rates: Each Occurrence
During regular office hours (Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm) $ 20.00
After office hours $ 40.00
2. FIELD COLLECTION FEE:
This charge is applicable to all customers who pay outstanding bills for service at
the time e that Company personnel arrive at the customers’ premises to terminate
service.
Rate: Each Occurrence
Field Collection Fee $ 15.00
3. HOOKUP CHARGES:
This charge is applicable when a new service is connected to the system for the first time.
Meter Size of New Connection One timeTime Charge
¾” Meter $ 500.00
1” Meter $ 600.00
1 ½” Meter $ 930.00
2” Meter $1,205.00
When the installation of a new service line requires the Company to bore a line under a road,
all additional costs will be charged to the customer on a time and materials basis. The new
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Falls Water Co., Inc.
Sheet 11
Replaces All Previous Sheets
Issued May 5, 2022 Issued by Falls Water Co., Inc.
Effective K. Scott Bruce, General Manager
4 of 8
customer may, at their option, hire a Falls Water Company approved independent contractor to
perform the road bore and connection. The Company will require such contractor to show
proof of bonding, licensing and insurance and have at least five (5) years of experience at hot
tapping water lines. Falls Water Company will inspect and approve all the work being
performed to insureensure compliance with the Company’s installation requirements.
Schedule No. 2
Non-Recurring Charges (Cont’d)
4. RETURNED CHECK CHARGE:
This charge is applicable to all customers where the customer's check or bank draft is
returned by the bank for insufficient funds, closed account, or some other appropriate
reason.
Rate: Each Occurrence
Returned check charge each occurrence $20.00
5. METER TEST AT CUSTOMER REQUEST CHARGE:
This charge is applicable when the customer requests the Company to test the accuracy of a
meter in the case of a disputed bill.
Rate: Each Occurrence
Error in meter registration of 1.5% or less $10.00
6. LATE PAYMENT CHARGE:
This charge is based on the unpaid balance at the time of the next billing date.
Rate:
1% of delinquent balance per month.
Falls Water Co., Inc.
Sheet 11
Replaces All Previous Sheets
Issued May 5, 2022 Issued by Falls Water Co., Inc.
Effective K. Scott Bruce, General Manager
5 of 8
Schedule No. 3
Recurring Charges
Secondary Irrigation Rate For Former Customers Of Taylor Mountain
NON-METERED CUSTOMERS
Minimum Monthly Charge $16.8520.00
The Minimum Monthly Charge includes usage up to 15,000 gallons.
The Secondary Irrigation Rate applied to customers receiving service for
secondary irrigation. The Usage Charge is calculated by multiplying metered water
consumption during the billing period by the rate per unit of measurement. The
total Usage Charge is the sum of charges for each Tier.
Tier 1: First 15,000 gallons
(0 to 15,000 gallons) $ 0.00
Tier 2: Next 60,000 gallons
(15,001 to 75,000 gallons) $ 0.71 per 1,000 gallons
Tier 3: Next 50,000 gallons
(75,001 to 125,000 gallons) $ 1.00 per 1,000 gallons
Tier 4: Over 125,001 gallons
(125,001 gallons and over) $ 2.00 per 1,000 gallons
Falls Water Co., Inc.
Sheet 11
Replaces All Previous Sheets
Issued May 5, 2022 Issued by Falls Water Co., Inc.
Effective K. Scott Bruce, General Manager
6 of 8
Schedule No. 4
Non-Recurring Charges
For Former Customers Of Taylor Mountain
Reconnection Charge:
Applies when a Customer requests reconnection following disconnection of service for:
non-payment
a dangerous condition caused by the Customer (e.g., lack of certified cross connection control)
Does not apply to situations where the Customer requests disconnection to make repairs or prevent
water damage to the Customer’s property. Also does not apply when service was disconnected by the
Company for its convenience.
Rates: Each Occurrence
During regular office hours $20.00
(Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm)
After office hours $ 40.00
Hook Up Charge:
Applies when the Company must install a new service connection in order to provide water to a new
Customer. $1,179.00
Late Payment Charge:
Applies to the past-due balance owed at the time of the next billing.
One percent (1%)
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Falls Water Co., Inc.
Sheet 11
Replaces All Previous Sheets
Issued May 5, 2022 Issued by Falls Water Co., Inc.
Effective K. Scott Bruce, General Manager
7 of 8
Schedule No. 5
Recurring Charges
for Former Customers of Morningview
Lot Size
Minimum
Charge
First Tier
Volume
First Tier
Commodity
Charge
(per 1,000 gal)
Second Tier
Commodity
Charge
(per 1,000 gal)
¼ Acre $55.00 10,000 $ .17 $ .53
½ Acre $65.00 40,000 $ .17 $ .53
1 Acre $70.50 45,000 $ .17 $ .53
The minimum charge varies per lot size and does not include water usage. All mobile
home lots are billed using the ¼ Acre minimum charge and volume rates. Volume
charges are based on the amount of water used by the customer during the billing
period, rounded to 1,000 gallons.
The volume of water billed under the first and second tier rates varies based upon the
size of the lot. The first-tier rate applies to the amount of water used by the customer
up to the first-tier allowance. The second-tier rate applies to each 1,000 gallons used
above the first-tier rate applies to each 1,000 gallons used above the first tier volume
allowance.
EXAMPLE
A customer who is billed under the ¼ Acre rates and used 12,000 gallons a month would
pay:
$55.00 minimum charge
$1.70 first tier charges (10,000 gal. x $ .17 / 1,000 gal.)
$1.06 second tier charges (2,000 gal x $ .53 / 1,000 gal.)
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Falls Water Co., Inc.
Sheet 11
Replaces All Previous Sheets
Issued May 5, 2022 Issued by Falls Water Co., Inc.
Effective K. Scott Bruce, General Manager
8 of 8
For a total of $57.76
Customers will be billed monthly based on the meter reading from the previous month.
Schedule No. 6
Non-Recurring Charges
for Former Customers of Morningview
7. RECONNECT FEES: $25.00
Applies when a customer requests reconnection following disconnection of service for
non-payment. Does not apply to situations where the customer requests disconnection
to make repairs or prevent water damage to the customer’s property. Also does not
apply when service was disconnected by the Company for its convenience.
8. INSUFFICIENT FUNDS CHARGE: $20.00
Applies when a customer tenders payment for utility service with a dishonored check or
makes an electronic payment on an account with insufficient funds.
9. LATE PAYMENT FEE: One percent (1%)
Applies to the past due balance owing at the time of the next billing.
Normal business hours are defined as between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through
Friday, excluding holidays.
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Falls Water Co., Inc.
Sheet 11
Replaces All Previous Sheets
Issued May 5, 2022 Issued by Falls Water Co., Inc.
Effective K. Scott Bruce, General Manager
9 of 8
Schedule No. 7
Recurring Charges
for Former Customers of Honeybee Acres Water Co.
Flat Rate Monthly Charge: $30.00
The flat rate for former Honeybee Acres Water Co. customers is effective until the
customers homes are physically connected to the Falls Water Co., Inc. water system. At
that time, the rates for Falls Water customers found in Schedule No. 1 and Schedule No.
2 will become effective.
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Falls Water Co., Inc.
Sheet 11
Replaces All Previous Sheets
Issued May 5, 2022 Issued by Falls Water Co., Inc.
Effective K. Scott Bruce, General Manager
10 of 8
14. Special Provisions or Amendments
14.1 It shall be the responsibly of the Customer to keep the area within three
(3) feet of a fire hydrant clear from snow, trees, brush, weeds, growth,
fences, or any other obstructions if a fire hydrant is located upon or
adjacent to the customer’s premises.
15. Equal Pay Plan
15.1 The Residential Equal Play Plan: The Equal Pay Plan is available to
Residential Customers, desiring equal payments for water service. A
Residential Customer may enroll in the Equal Pay Plan at any time during
the year. To be eligible for the Equal Pay Plan, the customer must have a
minimum of 12 consecutive months or service at the current location and
have no past due balances owing at the time of enrollment.
The levelized monthly payments will approximate the 12-month average
of the most current bills. Equal Pay amounts will be recalculated annually
at the 12-month anniversary of the date the customer began paying their
most current Equal Pay Amount. The new monthly payment will be the
recalculated Equal Pay amount. A customers’ Equal Pay amount may
increase, decrease, or stay the same from year to year.
Customers with a negative (underpaid) balance in their Equal Pay account
at the time of recalculation will the new monthly Equal Pay charges equal
to the recalculated Equal Pay amount plus one-twelfth of the negative
balance. At the customer’s option, a negative balance may be paid in full
and disregarded for the purposes of calculating the next periods Equal pay
amount. If the negative balance exceeds 25% of the estimated annual bill
for the ensuing annual period, the Company may require that the negative
balance be paid in full. Customers with a positive balance exceeding $25 in
their Equal Pay account at the time of the recalculation may be refunded
at the customer’s request. If no request is made the monthly Equal Pay
charge will be equal to the recalculated Equal Pay amount reduced by one-
twelfth of the positive balance. Upon termination of the Equal Pay
Commented [RA1]: Confirm that we'd prefer this to adjusting
them all at once? This was how it was in Veolia, but I know at EWEB
they just did them all once a year.
Falls Water Co., Inc.
Sheet 11
Replaces All Previous Sheets
Issued May 5, 2022 Issued by Falls Water Co., Inc.
Effective K. Scott Bruce, General Manager
11 of 8
agreement, after all charges for services are paid, positive balances will be
refunded.
Estimates of future costs based on historical changes furnished by the
Company should not be construed by the customer as a guarantee that
the total actual changes will be exceed the estimates. In the event of a
significant changes in rates for water service or substantial deviation from
the customer’s historical water consumptions, the Company may at any
time submit a revised estimate to the customer and require that the
customer pay the revised monthly Equal Pay installment amount as a
condition of continuation in the Equal Pay Plan.
The Equal Pay amount will be billed monthly. Once established, the Equal
pay will remain in effective from year to year until the customer notifies
the Company not less than 30 days prior to the desired date of
cancellation or unless the customer fails to pay the Equal Pay amount.
FALLS WATER CO.,INC.
FLS-W-23-01
Attachment 3
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Scott Bruce at (208) 522-1300 or scott@fallswater.com
Falls Water Company Files General Rate Case
Idaho Falls, ID -- On May 8, 2023 – Falls Water Co., Inc. has filed an application with the Idaho Public
Utilities Commission (IPUC) for a proposed general rate increase to become effective July 15, 2023. The
filing is subject to public review and a Commission decision before it can take effect.
Falls Water Co., Inc., part of NW Natural Water Company, seeks approval to increase rates to recover
the increasing cost of operations and maintenance, system improvements, and replacing aging
infrastructure.
If approved the proposed increase would increase the Company’s total annual revenues by $1,174,000,
or 47.3%. The table below shows the current and proposed typical monthly bill and proposed increase
for customers using average usage by customer type for the respective systems.
Rate Class (Company)Average
Usage (in
1000 gallons)
Current Bill Proposed Bill Percentage
Increase
Falls Water 5/8” & ¾”
Meters
19 $25.17 $35.19 40%
Falls Water 1” Meters 20 $29.15 $45.11 55%
Falls Water 1 ½” Meters 37 $47.81 $65.33 37%
Falls Water 2” Meters 81 $91.90 $127.17 38%
Falls Water 4” Meters 75 $101.19 $142.88 41%
Taylor Mountain ¾”21 $24.26 $36.57 51%
Taylor Mountain 1”23 $25.68 $47.18 84%
Taylor Mountain 2”250 $362.60 $389.12 7%
Morningview ¼ Acre 5/8 &
¾ Inch
8 $56.36 $27.60 -51.0%
Morningview ¼ Acre 1”
Meter
9 $56.53 $38.90 -31.2%
Morningview ½ Acre 5/8 &
¾ Inch
14 $67.38 $31.74 -52.9%
Morningview ½ Acre 1”
Meter
19 $68.23 $45.50 -33.3%
Morningview 1 Acre 5/8 &
¾ Inch
43 $77.81 $68.09 -12.5%
Morningview 1 Acre 1”
Meter
37 $76.79 $60.28 -21.5%
A copy of the application is available for review at Falls Water Co., Inc.’s office located at 2180 North
Deborah Drive in Idaho Falls, Idaho or at our website, www.fallswater.com. Copies of the application are
on file at Idaho Public Utilities offices at 472 West Washington Street, Boise Idaho 83702. The
application is also available for review on the Commission’s website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Please send
any comments or question to either Gem State Water Company or the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission:
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Falls Water Company, Inc
PO Box 83720 2180 North Deborah Drive
Boise, ID 83720-0074 Idaho Falls, ID 83401
(800) 432-0369 (208) 522-1300
Comments may be submitted to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission via email by going to the
following website: https://puc.idaho.gov/Form/CaseComment Please refer to Case No. FLS-W-23-01 in
all correspondence.
FALLS WATER CO.,INC.
FLS-W-23-01
Attachment 4
Customer Notice
NOTICE TO FALLS WATER CO., INC. CUSTOMERS
On May 8, 2023, Falls Water Co., Inc. filed an application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission
(IPUC) for a proposed general rate increase to become effective July 15, 2023. The filing is subject to
public review and a Commission decision before it can take effect.
Falls Water Co., Inc. seeks approval to increase rates to recover the increasing cost of operations and
maintenance, system improvements, and replacing aging infrastructure.
If the proposed rate increases are approved, the table below shows the current and proposed typical
monthly bill for customers using average usage by customer type for the respective systems.
Rate Class (Company)Average
Usage (in
1000 gallons)
Current Bill Proposed Bill Percentage
Increase
Falls Water 5/8” & ¾”
Meters
19 $25.17 $35.19 40%
Falls Water 1” Meters 20 $29.15 $45.11 55%
Falls Water 1 ½” Meters 37 $47.81 $65.33 37%
Falls Water 2” Meters 81 $91.90 $127.17 38%
Falls Water 4” Meters 75 $101.19 $142.88 41%
Taylor Mountain ¾”21 $24.26 $36.57 51%
Taylor Mountain 1”23 $25.68 $47.18 84%
Taylor Mountain 2”250 $362.60 $389.12 7%
Morningview ¼ Acre 5/8 &
¾ Inch
8 $56.36 $27.60 -51.0%
Morningview ¼ Acre 1”
Meter
9 $56.53 $38.90 -31.2%
Morningview ½ Acre 5/8 &
¾ Inch
14 $67.38 $31.74 -52.9%
Morningview ½ Acre 1”
Meter
19 $68.23 $45.50 -33.3%
Morningview 1 Acre 5/8 &
¾ Inch
43 $77.81 $68.09 -12.5%
Morningview 1 Acre 1”
Meter
37 $76.79 $60.28 -21.5%
If approved the proposed increase would increase the Company’s total annual revenues by $1,174,000,
or 47.3%. A copy of the application is available for review at Falls Water Co., Inc.’s office located at 2180
North Deborah Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83401. Copies of the application are on file at Idaho Public
Utilities offices at 472 West Washington Street, Boise Idaho 83702. The application is also available for
review on the Commission’s website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Customers may also subscribe to the
Commission RSS feed to receive periodic updates via email about the case.
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Falls Water Company, Inc.
PO Box 83720 2180 North Deborah Drive
Boise, ID 83720-0074 Idaho Falls, ID 83401
(800) 432-0369 (208) 522-1300
Written comments may be submitted to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission via email by going to the
following website:
https://puc.idaho.gov/Form/CaseComment
Please refer to Case No. FLS-W-23-01 in all correspondence.