BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND )
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, )
   )
  Complainant, ) DOCKET UW-990642
   )
 vs.  )
   ) COMPLAINT AND ORDER
Meadows Water System, L.L.C., ) SUSPENDING TARIFF
   ) REVISIONS AND
  Respondent. ) INSTITUTING INVESTIGATION  
 ) 

  On April 30, 1999, Meadows Water System, L.L.C., (Meadows Water) filed tariff 
revisions with the Commission designated as:

   First Revised Sheet No. 1
   Canceling
   Original Sheet No. 1,

   First Revised Sheet No. 2
   Canceling
   Original Sheet No. 2,

   First Revised Sheet No. 9
   Canceling
   Original Sheet No. 9,

   Second  Revised Sheet No. 21
   Canceling
   First Revised Sheet No. 21,

   Original Sheet No. 34,

   Original Sheet No. 35,

   Original Sheet No. 36, and 

   Original Sheet No. 37.

  Meadows Water System, L.L.C., filed for general rates in the amount of 
approximately $108,586 or 49 percent of additional revenue per year.  As part 
of this docket, the company filed for several ancillary charge updates, two (2) 
capital improvement surcharges and a facilities charge.  The company serves 
approximately 827 residential customers near Lacey, in north Thurston County.

  The Commission received no customer comments on this request.

  The company’s last general rate increase was October 1990.  The company is 
proposing to remove the base allowance of 400 cubic feet from its metered 
rate.  Zero allowance rate design encourages conservation and ensures the low 
end users that they pay for only what they use.  The current and proposed rates 
are provided below:
   
Monthly Rate     Current  Proposed
5/8x3/4 Inch Metered Rate    $ 15.75  $ 18.00
1 ˝ Inch Metered Rate     $ 18.75  $ 37.50 
3 Inch Metered Rate     $ 20.11  $ 40.22
 Base allowance of 400 cubic feet  Included  Zero Allowance
 Over 400 cubic feet (per 100 cuft)        .90       ----

Excess consumption
 per one (1) cubic foot up to 1,100 cubic feet      ----        .009
 per one (1) cubic foot over 1,100 cubic feet      ----        .012 

State Public Utility Tax    Included       5.029 %
Surcharge - New Meters       ----   $   2.16
Surcharge - Capital Facilities      ----   $   1.25
Late Payment Fee        ----   $   1.5 %
New Account Setup Charge   $  5.00  $ 15.00
 Special Meter Read    $  5.00  $ 25.00
NSF Check Charge     $10.00  $ 15.00
Facilities Charge         ----   $ 1,850
Water Availability Letter        ----   $  35.00
Fire Flow Charge         ----   $108.88

  Regulatory services staff has requested financial records and information to 
support the filing.  The company is currently working on those request.

  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 tariff filing, filed herein April 30, 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 tariff filing 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 26th day of May, 1999.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION




      MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman




      RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner




      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner