DOCKET UW-980229  Page 1
 BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND )
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, )
   )
  Complainant, ) DOCKET UW-980229
   )
 vs.  )
   ) COMPLAINT AND ORDER
Burton Water Company, Inc., ) SUSPENDING TARIFF
   ) REVISIONS, AND  
  Respondent. )    INSTITUTING INVESTIGATION
 )

  On February 18, 1998, Burton Water Company, Inc., (Burton Water) filed tariff 
revisions with the Commission designated as:

Ninth Revision of Sheet No. 21
Canceling
Eighth Revision of Sheet No. 21

First Revision of Sheet No. 34
Canceling
Original Sheet No. 34

Ninth Revision of Sheet No. 30
Canceling
Eighth Revision of Sheet No. 30 

  The tariff revisions reflect an increase in rates of approximately $15,000 
per year (11.64%).  Burton Water received its last rate increase effective 
April 1994.  Burton Water is located in central Vashon Island and serves 
approximately 410 customers.  Burton Water has not yet demonstrated to the 
staff that the proposed charge is fair, just, reasonable, and sufficient.

  It appearing that the filing herein would provide charges and rates for water 
service rendered by respondent and that the rights and interests of the public 
might be injuriously affected thereby, it is the decision of the Commission to 
enter upon public hearing or hearings concerning such charges and the 
reasonableness and justness thereof and to suspend the operation of the above 
filing pending such hearing or hearings and decision thereon.

    The Commission deems it necessary in order to carry out the duties imposed 
upon it by law to investigate the books, accounts, practices and activities of 
respondent, to make a valuation or appraisal of the property of respondent and 
to investigate and appraise various phases of the operation of respondent. 
  
O R D E R

  IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED:

  1. The operation of the above tariff filing, filed herein February 18, 1998, 
is hereby suspended.

  2. A hearing or hearings, on the Commission's own motion, shall be held at 
such times and places as may be required.

  3. No change or alteration shall be made in the tariff filing filed herein, 
during the period of suspension, unless authorized by the Commission.

  4. An investigation is hereby instituted by the Commission.

  5.   Respondent shall pay the expenses reasonably attributable and allocable 
to such investigation to the extent the requirement for such payment may be in 
accordance with the provisions of chapter 80.20 RCW.           

           DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 25th
day of March, 1998.

   WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION




      ANNE LEVINSON, Chair




      RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner




      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner