DOCKETS UW-971735 AND UW-980616 Page 1
 

BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND )
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, )
   )
  Complainant, ) DOCKETS: UW-971735 AND
   )      UW-980616
   )
 vs.  ) ORDER DISMISSING
   ) COMPLAINT AND 
AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES, INC. ) ORDER SUSPENDING    ) CONTRACT AND GRANTING    
) CONTRACT APPROVAL
  Respondent )
 )


   On December 8, 1997, American Water Resources, Inc., filed a contract with 
the Commission.  The contract is between Dorenbush Homes, Inc., (developer) and 
American Water Resources, Inc., (American Water) and calls for the developer to 
install a water distribution main and related operating equipment to serve Wood 
Village.  Wood Village is a 22-lot subdivision located in Pierce County.  
Additionally, developer is to install, at cost, all internal plat system 
extensions according to plans developed by Parametrix, Inc., and shall include, 
but not be limited to, a stub out of a one inch (1") water line, including 
meter box and meter setter, for each individual service stub out in the plat of 
Wood Village.  The stated effective date of that contract was 
January 7, 1998.

  Developer was to pay $1,700 per residential equivalent for each water service 
connection to be provided by the system extension.  During construction, 
developer needs water for building, sales, irrigation of landscaping and other 
purposes. American Water was willing to supply such water under a proposed 
Ready to Serve charge of $15.00 per month per lot.

  The Commission, on December 31, 1997, entered a Complaint and Order 
Suspending Contract pending an investigation concerning the charges and the 
reasonableness and justness thereof. 

  By letter dated May 13, 1998, American Water and the developer have signed a 
new contract for service.  The new contract is similar to the original with the 
following exceptions;  Developer is to pay a facilities charge of $2,500 versus 
$1,700, developer is to pay a Ready To Service rate of $9.00 versus $15.00, and 
the facilities charge will be refundable to the extent of Commission review and 
establishment of a tariffed facilities charge under Docket UW-980076.

  An additional item has been added to the new contract in which the developer 
is to install a new replacement line extension of approximately 550 feet of 
8-inch main and relocate two fire hydrants.  American Water will pay the 
developer $1,000 for this purpose.  Developer will pay all remaining or 
additional cost for the line extension replacement.

  
FINDINGS

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

  2. The contract presently under suspension herein is requested to be 
withdrawn. 

  3. It is not contrary to public interest that the Complaint and Order 
Suspending Contract in this docket be dismissed and that the contract as filed 
or amended, become effective May 29, 1998.

O R D E R

  THE COMMISSION THEREFORE ORDERS That the Complaint and Order Suspending 
contract in Docket UW-971735, dated      December 31, 1997, be and the same is 
hereby dismissed, and that the contract filed in Docket UW-980616, April 29, 
1998, be and the same shall become effective May 29, 1998.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 27th day of May, 1998.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION




      ANNE LEVINSON, Chair



      RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner




      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner