DOCKETS UW-981359 and UW-990013 Page 1
BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND )
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, )
   ) DOCKETS UW-980229
  Complainant, ) AND UW-990013
   )
 vs.  ) ORDER DISMISSING
   ) COMPLAINT AND ORDER
Thomas Water Service, Inc. ) SUSPENDING TARIFF
   ) REVISION, APPROVE TARIFF
   ) REVISION AND GRANTING 
  Respondent. ) LESS THAN STATUTORY 
 ) NOTICE

  On October 26, 1998, Thomas Water Service, Inc., (Thomas Water) filed tariff 
revisions with the Commission designated as:

   First Revision of Sheet No. 7
   Canceling
   Original Sheet No. 7,

   First Revision of Sheet No. 8
   Canceling
   Original Sheet No. 8, and

   First Revision of Sheet No. 21
   Canceling
   Original Sheet No. 21 .

  The tariff revisions reflect an increase in rates of approximately $42,120 
(346%) per year.  Thomas Water has not received an increase since initial 
tariff filed October 1991.  Thomas Water serves approximately 78 customers near 
Arlington, in Snohomish County.  Thomas Water consists of two water systems 
named Meadow Ridge (64 customers) and Meadowbrook (14 customers).  Both water 
systems provide unmetered water service, standby storage, and fire flow with 
Meadow Ridge having five fire hydrants and Meadowbrook having two fire hydrants.

  The Commission, December 30, 1998, entered a Complaint and Order Suspending 
Tariff Revisions pending an investigation concerning the changes and the 
reasonableness and justness thereof.

  On January 7, 1999, Thomas Water refiled for (a) a general rate increase of 
$42,120 (346%); (b) a return check (NSF) charge; (c) an increase in the 
reconnection charge; and the company will also be changing its billing cycle 
from bi-monthly to monthly in arrears.  Thomas Water is filing for general 
rates due to increased cost of labor contracts and additional plant to serve 
Meadow Ridge.

  The tariff sheets bear an inserted effective date of February 8, 1999.  This 
date recognizes statutory notice as required.  The company requests, however, 
that statutory notice be waived and that the revision become effective January 
15, 1999.

FINDINGS

  1. Thomas Water Service, Inc., is a water utility company and as such is a 
public service company subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission.

  2. It is not contrary to public interest that the Complaint and Order 
Suspending Tariff Revision in this docket be dismissed.

  3. After careful examination of the tariff revisions filed herein by Thomas 
Water Service, Inc., January 7, 1999, and giving consideration to all relevant 
matters and for good cause shown, the Commission finds that the tariff 
revisions filed in the respondent's Tariff WN U-1, become effective January 15, 
1999.

O R D E R

  IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED:

  1. The Complaint and Order Suspending Tariff Revisions in Docket UW-981359, 
dated October 26, 1998, be and the same is hereby dismissed.

  2. That the revisions filed herein are approved.

  3. Grant the requested waiver of statutory notice dated January 7, 1999 
(Docket UW-990013), be and the same shall become effective with Less Than 
Statutory Notice to become effective January 15, 1999.

  4. This order shall in no way affect the authority of this Commission over 
rates, service, or accounts, evaluations, esti-mates, or determination of cost 
or any matters whatsoever that may come before it, nor shall anything herein be 
construed as an acquies-cence in any estimate or determination of cost or any 
valuation of property claimed or asserted.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective January 13, 1999.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


      ANNE LEVINSON, Chair


      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner