Idaho Public Utilities Commission

Case No. CCH-W-12-01, Order No. 32634

September 5, 2012

Contact: Gene Fadness (208) 334-0339, 890-2712

Hearing is Sept. 25 for Idaho Falls water utility

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will be in Idaho Falls Tuesday, September 25, to conduct a public hearing for the customers of Country Club Hills Utilities, a water company serving about 150 households southeast of Idaho Falls.

The utility is seeking a 32 percent increase to offset yearly operating losses and to pay for system deficiencies and water service problems.

The hearing is for the purpose of taking oral testimony from Country Club Hills customers. There is no presentation from the commission or the company. The hearing begins at 7 p.m. in the Skyline Activity Center, 1575 N. Skyline Road.

Country Club Hills customers now pay $17 per month for the first 30,000 gallons. Under Country Club’s proposal, flat monthly rates would increase from $17 to $25 for use up to 15,000 gallons per month (gpm). Use between 15,000 and 25,000 gpm would be assessed at 60 cents for every thousand gallons. Use of more than 25,000 gallons would be 70 cents per 1,000 gallons. The company proposes the inverted block rates to encourage water conservation.

The commission suspended the company’s March 22 application for up to six months to consider the application and audit financial records.

The company’s last increase was on June 1, 2005, when the monthly flat fee was increased from $14 to $17 and the commodity charge increased from 35 cents for every thousand gallons used above 30,000 gpm to 60 cents.

Customers who don’t want to testify can submit written comments through Sept. 25. Comments are accepted via e-mail from the commission’s Website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on "Comments & Questions About a Case." Fill in the case number, CCH-W-12-01, and enter your comments. Comments can also be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to (208) 334-3762.

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