BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND )
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, )
   )
  Complainant, ) DOCKET UW-992026
   )
 vs.  )
   ) COMPLAINT AND ORDER
Guemes Island Water Company, Inc., ) SUSPENDING TARIFF
   ) REVISIONS, AND INSTITUTING
  Respondent. ) INVESTIGATION
 ) 

  On December 29, 1999, Guemes Island Water Company, Inc., (Guemes Island 
Water) filed tariff revisions with the Commission designated as:

   First Revision Sheet No. 21 Canceling
   Original Sheet No. 21 and 
   First Revision Sheet No. 22 Canceling
   Original Sheet No. 21.

  The filing by Guemes Island Water is for general rates in the amount of 
approximately $38,900 (75%) of additional revenue per year.  This filing 
proposes to increase the average monthly bill by approximately $32.48.  The 
company serves approximately 116 residential metered customers and 106 ready to 
serve connections on Guemes Island in Skagit County.

  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 an evaluation 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 December 29, 1999, 
is hereby suspended.

  2. A hearing or hearings, on the Commission's own motion, will be held at 
such times and places as may be required.

  3. No change or alteration will 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 may be required to 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 
January, 2000.

   WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION




      MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman




      RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner




      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner