Water Company Seeks To Increase Rates

A water company in Post Falls serving about 60 customers has applied to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to increase its rates.

McGuire Estates Water Co. has had no change in its service rates since August 1990.

The company proposes an increase in its minimum monthly charge of $11.13 to $17. Customers who use more than 10,000 gallons per month are charged 47 cents per 1,000 gallons; that rate would go up to 65 cents per 1,000 gallons over 10,000 gallons.

Unmetered customer bills are based upon the average per-customer consumption as measured at the company’s well. Customers may elect to have a meter installed and have their bills calculated using individual meters measuring their consumption.

The company contends a rate increase is necessary to meet increased operating costs, conduct additional testing required for Safe Drinking Water Act compliance and cover replacement and repair expenses for fire hydrants and its master meter.

The Public Utilities Commission may determine that a change in the company’s total revenue requirement may be in an amount other than that proposed by the company. , DataTimes