BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND )
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, )
   )
  Complainant, ) DOCKET UW-002051
   )
 vs.  )
   ) COMPLAINT AND ORDER
TALL TIMBER WATER SYSTEMS, LLC. ) SUSPENDING TARIFF
   ) REVISIONS AND
  Respondent. ) INSTITUTING INVESTIGATION
 )

BACKGROUND

On December 22, 2000, Tall Timber Water Systems, LLC, (Company) filed for a 
rate increase of $4,468 (2 percent) of annual revenue.  This rate increase is 
in the form of a surcharge applied to one water system owned by the Company.  
The Company serves approximately 580 customers on 57 water systems, located in 
west Mason County, north Lewis County and south of Olympia, in Thurston 
County.  The tariff revisions filed with the Commission are designated as:

Second Revision of Sheet No. 2
Canceling First Revision Sheet No. 2, and 
Original Sheet No. 32.

  This filing is made to recover the cost of water treatment plant recently 
installed by the Company.  The water treatment is for two secondary 
contaminants, iron and manganese.  The overall proposed cost for the 
improvements would be approximately $72,624.   The customers are being asked to 
pay $45,808 with the Company funding the difference ($26,816) in total cost.

  It appears that the filing would increase charges and rates for 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 tariff revisions and enter upon public hearing or 
hearings concerning such changes and the reasonableness and justness thereof as 
may be necessary. 

  In accordance with RCW 80.04.130, the burden of proof to show that such 
increases are just and reasonable shall be upon the respondent.


 IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED:

  1. The operation of the above tariff revisions, filed December 22, 2000, is 
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 revision 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 11th day of January, 2001.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



      MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman



      RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner