Water rates increased

Water customers in the Spirit Lake East development will see a modest increase in their monthly bill, but not the doubled rate the Spirit Lake East Water Co. requested, according to a decision this week by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.

The commission approved the increase Monday for the 287 Spirit Lake water customers in Bonner and Kootenai counties.

It also chastised the water company for failing its obligation to provide “adequate, efficient, just and reasonable service,” according to a utilities commission news release.

The water customers say they have experienced extended outages, large water leaks and poor service from the company, run by Spokane-based Hanson Industries Inc.

For every gallon of water used, more than a gallon leaked from the system, well above the 10 to 15 percent of output considered acceptable, according a report by the commission.

The commission ordered the company to report within two weeks a detailed strategy for fixing the problems, including the installation of a new generator and addressing the system’s leaks.

The commission approved a rate increase on the first 9,000 gallons used to $12.50, up from $12 per month. More than 9,000 gallons used in a month, customers will pay 12 cents for every 100 gallons, up from the 10 cents.

The commission approved the company’s request to increase new customer connection fees to $2,500 from $1,200.

The increase request was the first in the company’s 30-year history.

A representative from Spirit Lake East Water Co. could not be reached for comment.