SANDPOINT — The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has approved a request by Valiant Idaho Inc. to increase the rate it charges customers.

However, in its Nov. 3 ruling, the utilities commission capped the rate at $67 per month for properties with finished homes, up from the current $45 per month. Properties without a finished home will remain at $45 per month.

Valiant Idaho, Inc. provides water service to 317 residential and commercial customers in the Trestle Creek area in Bonner County. It sought commission approval to increase the monthly charge for lots with finished homes to $150 per month and leave the rate for lots without finished homes at $45 per month.

There is currently no metered rate, and Valiant Idaho has sought approval to charge a penny a gallon for all water usage over 7,500 gallons per month. However, the commission rejected the request noting that not all Valiant Idaho customers have water meters.

The utility said the rate change was needed due to increased operating costs and necessary investments made to its system. Valiant Idaho officials also said the increase would help ensure the water system remains solvent and can meet annual obligations while providing a reasonable rate of financial return.

In its application, Valiant Idaho also sought approval to change the fees for reconnections, late payments, returned checks and hook-ups for new customers, among other items, IPUC officials said. The utility proposed a $2,500 reconnection charge, a late payment charge of 3% per quarter, a returned check charge of $100 and a $2,500 hook-up charge for new customers. 

However, the commission set the reconnection charge at $20 for reconnections performed during business hours and $40 for those done outside of normal business hours. IPUC officials also set the late payment charge at 1% per month, the returned check charge at $20 and the hook-up charge at $600.

Additional information is available at: puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/7509.