BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In the Matters of     )
(1) the Staff Investigation of  )
Sound Water Company, Inc.,  ) DOCKET UW-990721
being jurisdictional and   )
(2) the removal of     ) ORDER REMOVING COMPANY
Sound Water Company, Inc.,  ) FROM REGULATION AND 
from Commission Regulation.  ) CANCELING TARIFF
  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . )

  On May 14, 1999, Commission staff instituted a staff investigation to 
determine if Sound Water Company, Inc., (Sound Water) remains jurisdictional 
under RCW 80.04.010.

  On August 28, 1996, Rainier View Water Company, Inc., (Rainier View) took 
over operation of the Sound Water system.  On August 20, 1997, under Docket 
UW-961070, the Commission approved the sale and transfer of Sound Water to 
Rainier View.  Rainier View is operated as a public water utility and, as such, 
is subject to Commission jurisdiction.

  The staff investigation is now complete.  Rainier View considers the 
customers to be fully part of its business structure and the matter closed.  
This conclusion was affirmed in the advice letter dated October 16, 1997, in 
docket UW-961070.  On October 16, 1997, Rainier View assumed ownership of Sound 
Water.

  As a result of this investigation, Sound Water 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 Sound Water from regulation will be consistent with the public 
interest, because the water system is now operated and owned by Rainier View, 
which is regulated by this Commission.

  From all indications, it appears to be in the public interest to remove Sound 
Water from regulation and cancel the corresponding tariff.

O R D E R

  THE COMMISSION ORDERS:

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

  2. Sound Water Company, Inc., is removed from regulation by this order and 
its current tariff, WN U-1, canceled as of the effective date of this order.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 11th day of August, 1999.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION




      CAROLE J. WASHBURN
      Secretary