BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In the Matters of 
(1) the Staff Investigation of )
Lake Lawrence Water Company  ) DOCKET UW-981295
being jurisdictional and  )
(2) the removal of     ) ORDER REMOVING COMPANY
Lake Lawrence Water Company  ) FROM REGULATION AND 
from Commission Regulation.  ) CANCELING TARIFF
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

  On October 9, 1998, Commission staff instituted a staff investigation to 
determine if Lake Lawrence Water Company (Lake Lawrence) remains jurisdictional 
under RCW 80.04.010.

  On September 15, 1998, South Sound Utility Co., Inc., (South Sound Utility) 
took over operation and ownership of the Lake Lawrence water system.  Under 
Dockets UW-981199, UW-981198, and UW-981254 the Commission approved the sale 
and transfer of Lake Lawrence and the adoption of the tariff reflecting rates 
and charges applicable to the former customers of Lake Lawrence. South Sound 
Utility is operated as a for profit water utility and as such is subject to 
Commission jurisdiction.

  The staff investigation is now complete.  Sound South Utility considers the 
customers and tariff items to be fully part of their business structure and the 
matter closed.

  As a result of this investigation Lake Lawrence is determined to no longer 
provide regulated water service.  The Commission can remove a water company 
from regulation under the provisions of RCW 80.04.010.  A water company cannot 
be removed from regulation except with the approval of the Commission.  
Removing Lake Lawrence from regulation will not be inconsistent with the public 
interest, because the water system is now operated and owned by South Sound 
Utility which is regulated by this Commission.

  From all indications, it appears to be in the public interest to grant the 
request of removal from regulation and cancel the corresponding tariff.

O R D E R

  THE COMMISSION ORDERS:

  1. Lake Lawrence Water Company is hereby determined not to be jurisdictional 
pursuant to the Commission staff investigation and documents filed with the 
Commission.

  2. Lake Lawrence Water Company is removed from regulation by this Commission 
and its current tariff canceled as of the effective date of this order.

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

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



      CAROLE J. WASHBURN, 
      Secretary