BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND ) TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, ) ) Complainant, ) DOCKET UW-000404 ) vs. ) ) COMPLAINT AND ORDER American Water Resources, Inc., ) SUSPENDING TARIFF ) REVISIONS, AND Respondent. ) INSTITUTING INVESTIGATION ) BACKGROUND On March 20, 2000, American Water Resources, Inc., (Company) filed tariff revisions with the Commission designated as: Sixth Revision of Sheet No. 17 Canceling Fifth Revision of Sheet No. 17, and Fifth Revision of Sheet No. 18 Canceling Fourth Revision of Sheet No. 18. The company is requesting this rate increase to offset future costs the company anticipates spending. These costs include a new manager and related equipment, new telephone system and projected testing costs and new tests required and additional office space resulting from the splitting of American Water and its Satellite Management Agency (SMA) operations. This filing in docket UW-000404 is a general rate increase that would result in an increase of $186,898 (22.9%) annually. American Water has not yet demonstrated that the proposed charges are fair, just, reasonable, and sufficient. 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 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 March 20, 2000, 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 April, 2000. WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner