Nov 26, 2024
> Improvements enhance water safety, quality and resiliency for Treasure Valley homes and businesses
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Veolia North America, the leading provider of environmental solutions in the U.S. and Canada, today filed an application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to approve $74 million worth of customer improvements completed since January 1, 2023 in the Treasure Valley. The improvements enhance water quality, storage capacity and fire suppression for nearly 108,000 homes and businesses in the region.
David Johns, Regional President of Veolia’s Idaho Operations, said, “The investments we make in Idaho directly improve water quality, service reliability and safety for our customers. We continue to increase the resilience of the state’s largest water utility so it can operate with the level of excellence we see today and in the future.”
Water Service Remains a Strong Value for Customers
The $74 million worth of improvements represent an average investment of approximately $685 per customer, which would adjust rates for the average residential customer by 23 cents a day, if the Commission approves the application in whole. Despite the large investments in the system and any related increases to water bills, rates for Veolia customers in Idaho remain below or competitive with all other water utilities in the valley — public or private. Veolia is proposing the investment recovery request be phased in over two years, to reduce the immediate impact on customers, subject to Commission approval or modification.
Karine Rougé, CEO of Veolia North America’s Municipal Water division, said: “It is our privilege to serve Treasure Valley communities with affordable water service that we are constantly improving. The investments in water infrastructure we make in Idaho reflect our dedication to our customers, who can always count on us to provide a reliable water source every day while preparing water infrastructure for long-term resilience.”
If the Commission approves the request in full, including the proposed phase-in, customer bills would be adjusted by 20.5%. At the conclusion of the two phases, the average residential bill would increase by $0.23 a day or $6.77 per month, the average commercial bill by $0.82 a day or $24.63 a month, and the average public authority bill by $0.83 a day or $24.94 a month. Legacy Eagle Water Company area customer rates will continue to phase in over time. The existing Eagle average residential bill would increase by $0.15 a day or $4.52 per month, the average commercial bill by $0.55 a day or $16.42 a month, and the average public authority bill by $0.55 a day or $16.63 a month. Fire services would receive no increase. Company revenues would increase by 19.8% or $11.15 million per year. It will take several months for the Commission to accept, reject or modify this investment recovery request.
New Investments Keep the Water Flowing
Veolia’s $74 million in investments have improved water quality, safety and service reliability in the region. Some of the larger investments include:
- Columbia Water Treatment Plant Membrane Replacement and Expansion: An award-winning $9.4M plant expansion serving Southeast Boise. Adds treatment capacity while undertaking necessary filter replacements.
- Five Mile Road New Pipe Installation (Seneca to Sandpiper): $4.59M project in Southwest Boise which increased water supply, improved water quality and boosted fire protection and capacity in the event of an emergency.
- New booster station, pressure reducing valve in Sage Acres area, and new pressure zones in northern service territory: $2.36M provides more consistent water pressure for customers in the area.
- Central Bench water main replacements: $1.56M project that improves resiliency and water quality in the Boise Bench.
- Ustick Pump Station upgrades: $1.36M project providing additional peak hour flows and upgrading aged pumping equipment.
- La Grange well building, piping and electrical replacements: $1.14M project providing a new building, piping and electrical equipment for this important well site.
- Kootenai water main replacement: $1.09M project increasing water supply while improving quality.
- New Vactor Truck: $723K project which helps access underground assets for repair, maintenance, and installation.
- Redwood Creek well capacity expansion: $734K project which increased the pumping capacity of this well to continue to supply a growing area.
- Generator at Eagle well four: $434K improves power supply consistency.
These achievements exemplify the goals of Veolia’s global GreenUp strategy, which strives to lead the ecological transformation of the planet by accelerating water quality improvement, decarbonization and technological innovation. In addition, Veolia continues to follow through on increasing community awareness on capital investments through targeted communications and community outreach.
Cost Savings and Putting Idahoans to Work
Veolia has worked hard to keep operating costs in check in a number of ways, including the installation of energy-efficient motors that help produce and deliver water to residents, a partnership with Idaho Power to optimize energy use, and the negotiation of bulk purchase orders with the company’s largest suppliers.
The $74 million worth of projects also highlight the company’s commitment to improve lives and communities in Idaho by helping to stimulate and sustain the local economy. Our work in the Treasure Valley brings direct benefit to customers’ water service, and helps bolster the local economy through employment of local residents and contractors.
Financial Assistance Available
Veolia helps provide bill relief to area families which may be experiencing financial challenges. Eligible customers who need temporary assistance with their water bills may have their bills reduced by up to $100 once per year. Customers can learn more by contacting the company’s local agency partner, El-Ada Community Action Agency, at 208-345-2820 or www.eladacap.org. Veolia customers can also contact our Idaho customer service center at 208-362-7304 or [email protected] to learn about payment plans to help budget for water bills. Veolia encourages customers who may need help to take advantage of these programs if they have not done so already.
Veolia’s application for a rate increase is a proposal, subject to public review, and a Commission decision. A copy of the application is available for public review at the offices of both the Commission and Veolia, and on the Commission's website (www.puc.idaho.gov). Customers may file written comments related to the company’s filing with the Commission. Customers may also subscribe to the Commission’s RSS feed (http://www.puc.idaho.gov/rssfeeds/rss.htm) to receive periodic updates via e-mail about the case.
If you would like to submit comments on the proposed rate change, you can do so by going to the Commission website puc.idaho.gov/Form/CaseComment or mailing comments to:
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
When filing comments, please reference rate case docket number: VEO-W-24-01.
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ABOUT VEOLIA NORTH AMERICA
A subsidiary of Veolia Group, Veolia North America (VNA) offers a full spectrum of water, waste and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. VNA helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, MA, Veolia North America has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across the continent.
www.veolianorthamerica.com
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CONTACT
VEOLIA NORTH AMERICA
Madeline Wyatt
Manager, Communications, Community Relations & Conservation
Idaho Operation
201-310-6409
[email protected]