BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Requested )
Waiver of Statutory Notice in ) DOCKET UW-000053
Connection with the Tariff )
Revision Filed by  ) ORDER GRANTING LESS
American Water Resources, Inc. ) THAN STATUTORY     ) NOTICE
   ) AND AUTHORIZING
   ) REFUND
 

 BACKGROUND

  On January 18, 2000, American Water Resources, Inc., (American Water) filed 
with the Commission a revision to its currently effective Tariff WN U-1, 
designated as:

  Third Revision Sheet No. 17.5 Canceling Second Revision Sheet No. 17.5.

  This filing is made to cancel a capital improvement surcharge.  This 
surcharge was the result of a customer survey performed in April of 1999.  This 
survey supported the surcharge of $13.42 per month to provide a back-up 
generator for the Pit Water System.  The surcharge would have been in place for 
five years and used to repay a loan that was necessary to purchase and install 
the back-up generator.  On November 27, 1999, American Water began re-balloting 
its customers on the Pit Water System.  The re-balloting was to determine if 
the customers favored the surcharge and generator installation be canceled and 
a refund issued. American Water has re-balloted the 16 customers of Pit Water 
System, received a new vote of 10 yes and 1 no, and is requesting that 
Commission cancel the surcharge.  Based on preliminary reviews of costs and 
monies collected, American Water believes it should issue a refund of 
approximately $42.63 to each customer.  This refund would be applied as a bill 
credit and could occur as soon as the February 2000 billing.

  The tariff sheets bear an inserted effective date of February 17, 2000.  This 
date recognizes statutory notice as required.  The company requests, however, 
that statutory notice be waived and that the revision becomes effective January 
27, 2000 to allow the tariff to become effective prior to the next billing 
cycle.  This LSN treatment would meet the request of the customers to cancel 
this surcharge and to avoid an additional billing of the surcharge, which may 
be refunded.
 
  Since the tariff revision filed herein is fair, just and reasonable, and 
waiver of statutory notice is not inconsistent with the public interest, it is 
deemed appropriate that the company be granted the waiver it is requesting with 
an effective date of January 27, 2000.



FINDINGS

  After careful examination of the tariff revision filed herein by American 
Water Resources, Inc., January 18, 2000, and giving consideration to all 
relevant matters and for good cause shown, the Commission finds that the tariff 
revision should become effective January 27, 2000.


O R D E R

  THE COMMISSION THEREFORE ORDERS That the requested waiver of statutory notice 
in connection with the tariff revision filed herein by American Water 
Resources, Inc.,January 18, 2000, is hereby granted, and said tariff revision 
shall become effective 
January 27, 2000, and American Water Resources, Inc., is authorized to refund 
approximately $42.63 to each customer on the Pit Water System.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 26th day of January, 2000.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION




      CAROLE J. WASHBURN
      Secretary