IPUC: Water utility should be regulated

HOPE — The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has determined a Bonner County water utility is operating as a public utility and has directed the company to work with commission staff to complete a process to become regulated.

In a press release, Valiant Idaho owns and operates a water supply and distribution system that serves customers in the Idaho Club development and golf club called the Idaho Club in the Bonner County, Idaho, area. Valiant Idaho obtained the water system assets, an undeveloped portion of the Idaho Club and land comprising the golf course in a 2016 sheriff sale.

In a press release, commission staff said they believed Valiant Idaho should be regulated under Title 61 of the Idaho Code, which lays out the groundwork for public utility regulation. A certificate of public convenience and necessity was issued to Valiant Idaho on Sept. 6 order.

The commission determined Valiant Idaho was operating as a public utility after reviewing the record and the company's control over the water system's operation and management. IPUC officials "found it reasonable" to assert formal regulatory jurisdiction, according to a press release.

In addition to issuing the certificate of public convenience and necessity, the order directed Valiant Idaho to submit a legal description of the company’s service territory to ensure that Valiant Idaho does not overlap with that of another public utility, adopt the commission’s Utility Customer Relations Rules and Utility Customer Information Rules. The order also directed Valiant Idaho to use an accounting system consistent with the information required by the commission’s annual report for small water companies. These companies submit their annual reports to the commission.

Valiant Idaho officials were directed to submit information required under the Utility Customer Relations Rules for commission review and approval. This information includes a tariff, various customer notices and an annual rules summary.

The order also directs commission staff to open a separate docket to evaluate whether Valiant Idaho’s rates are fair, just and reasonable.

Information: puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/7301