IPUC approves utility expansion request

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has approved an application from a Bonner County water utility to expand its service area.

VP Inc. provides water service to the Hidden Lakes Subdivision in Bonner County. The utility applied to serve parcels adjacent to its current service area, and said the parcels cannot be served by another water utility.

The commission granted approval for two of the three parcels VP Inc. applied to serve, but excluded the third northernmost parcel because of water right limits.

"Staff believed the company holds sufficient water rights to support some, but not all, of the additional service area proposed in the application," staff said in a final order connected to the project. "Despite believing the company has the right to divert enough water to satisfy current load and likely future development, staff indicated that only two of the three parcels proposed in the application could properly be added to the company's service area."

The utility’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity will be amended to reflect the addition of the two parcels.

Information: puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/7455