COMMISSION NEWS

ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION
1200 W. WASHINGTON STREET
PHOENIX, AZ 85007

TO: EDITORS, NEWS DIRECTORS

DATE: November 20, 1997

FOR: IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jon Poston, (602) 542-0843
Kevin Mosley, (602) 542-7269


COMMISSION OKAYS PEEPLES VALLEY WATER RATES

Arizona Corporation Commissioners have approved new rates for Peeples Valley Water Company, subject to a series of conditions. The new rates will become effective December 1st.

The additional money cannot be used by the company until a new well is dug, an additional 80,000 gallons of storage are built to provide minimum water pressure to customers, and the company provides proof it is in compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act quality standards. The rate increase is interim, and subject to refund to customers, if the company doesn't comply with several other requirements. Those include meeting Commission financial reporting requirements, operating independently of affiliated companies, and filing another rate case in the year 2000.

Here is a comparison:

 

Present Rates

Company Proposed

Approved

5/8 x 3/4 meter

14.00

21.70

18.65

Gallons included in minimum

1,000

1,000

0

Additional water, per 1,000

1.50

1.95

1.79

Commission Chairman Jim Irvin said, "This solution takes strong steps to improve the quality of service the customers of this company deserve". He added, "This decision sends a message to all regulated utilities that they must put the needs of their customers first".