Olympic Water and Sewer, Inc. (OWSI) has applied for approval from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) to charge a surcharge for Ice Pigging to address historical manganese deposits in the water mains. The surcharge will become effective on February 18, 2025.

This surcharge is the result of community water quality concerns related to manganese. The funds generated by this surcharge will pay 70 percent of the Ice Pigging to remove historical manganese deposits in the water mains. The estimated total cost is $350,000, and 70 percent is $245,000.

The Surcharge is to expire on February 17, 2026, or upon recovery of $245,000 whichever occurs first. Cost includes the estimate and state excise taxes.

The new Rate for each customer or connection (billed bi-monthly) is $11.53 per month or $23.06 per billing.

Current base rates and filtration surcharge are $45.00 plus $7.00 for a base bi-monthly bill of $52.00.  Base rate and surcharge with new proposed surcharge for a base bi-monthly bill of $75.06

This new rate will appear on your April 21, 2025 Water and Sewer billing.

If you have questions about the new surcharge and how it will affect you, please call Olympic Water and Sewer, Inc. at 360-437-8247 to leave a message or email owsi@portludlowassociates.com

If you have questions about the rate making process or would like to comment on this proposal, you may contact the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.

  • Web:  www.utc.wa.gov
  • Email:  comments@utc.wa.gov
  • Mail:  Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission / Post Office Box 47250 / Olympia, WA 98504
  • Telephone: 1-888-333-WUTC (9882)

If you would like to comment on this proposal, it is important for you to do so now. Comments must be submitted in writing or presented at the commission’s open meeting to be included as part of the formal record. The commission is interested in receiving your views regarding this proposal whether in favor or not. This matter will be heard at the open meeting on February 13, 2025, in Lacey, WA.

If you would like information on how to participate in the open meeting please visit: https://www.utc.wa.gov/documents-and-proceedings/open-meetings. If you intend to listen or participate remotely, call 360-664-1234 at least a day before the open meeting for instructions and to sign in. You should also call this number if you plan to attend in person to verify that the case has not been rescheduled to a later open meeting date. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in this open meeting, please contact the commission at 888-333-9882 or email at comments@utc.wa.gov.

The UTC has the authority to set final rates that may be either lower or higher than the company’s request, depending on the results of its investigation.

Sincerely,

Diana Smeland

Diana Smeland
President
Olympic Water and Sewer, Inc.