DOCKET UW-990428  Page 1
 BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND )
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, )
   )
  Complainant, ) DOCKET UW-990428
   )
 vs.  )
   ) COMPLAINT AND ORDER
Gamble Bay Water, Inc., ) SUSPENDING CONTRACT
   ) AND INSTITUTING
  Respondent. ) INVESTIGATION 
 ) 

  On March 15, 1999, Gamble Bay Water, Inc., (Gamble Bay) filed with the 
Commission a contract.  Gamble Bay serves approximately 250 customers located 
on 13 water systems on Bainbridge Island and near Poulsbo.

  This contract provides for Stetson Development Company, LLC., (developer) to 
install and pay for a water distribution main, well improvements, and related 
operating equipment and appurtenances for a twenty (20) lot subdivision.  The 
developer will also pay all engineering fees and plan review fees associated 
with this water system extension. Additionally, the developer will install all 
service connections.  The developer will then convey the system extension, by a 
bill of sale, to Gamble Bay.

  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 contract, filed herein March 15, 1999, 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 contract 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 31st day of March, 
1999.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION




      MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman




      RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner




      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner