EDITORS NOTE: This just arrived into my in box. This is something we said would happen when a district allows Private entities to assume the role of water purveyor! Now it is official!

"Re: Large Interim Rate Increase Approved for EPCOR Water Customers Retroactive to July 1

Directors of your Association attended a presentation by EPCOR personnel on July 20 to hear about proposed rated increases starting July 1, 2009 through 2011.

We were informed that an interim rate increase of 14 per cent is proposed for July 1st, and 19 per cent for January 1, 2010 and 13 per cent for January 1, 2011.

In late July we learned that EPCOR had formalized its application to the Comptroller of Water Rights for the interim, July 1 increase. The Association submitted a letter on August 5 suggesting that it would be more appropriate to implement any increase on October 1, 2009 in order to provide appropriate notice. We were advised today that the Comptroller had already approved the increase on July 28 to be effective retroactively from July 1, 2009.

This bulletin is issued to provide the information you need to make an informed decision on your water usage for the rest of the summer.

The correspondence from the Secretary to the Comptroller (Rick Couroux) is appended below.

I have made an effort to identify only those FCRA members who are in the EPCOR water service area. Please advise your neighbors because not all residents of French Creek belong to the association.

I apologize if I have included residents in the RDN's Sandpiper water service area.

Michael Jessen, P.Eng.
Secretary, French Creek Residents' Association



August 6, 2009
Dear Mr. Jessen,

As per may earlier message here is a signed PDF copy of the Deputy Comptroller’s Decision No. 2208 in the matter of an interim-refundable rate increase approval for EPCOR Water (West) Inc.


Rick Couroux

Secretary to the Comptroller of Water Rights


Dear Michael Jessen,

I refer to your email message of August 5, 2009. By way of Decision and Order No. 2208 dated July 28, 2009, (a pdf copy will be forwarded separately) the Deputy Comptroller of Water Rights approved Interim – Refundable Water Rates effective July 1, 2009 as applied for by EPCOR Water (West) Inc. After a review of the full application package, to be submitted by September 30, 2009, and a public (written or oral) hearing process is completed the rates will be finalized. If it is determined that the interim are not fully supported and/or warranted they will be adjusted and refunded or credited to future billings.
>From the initial information provided by the Utility it was determined that the Utility requires a rate increase. Your request to consider delaying the rate increase until October 1, 2009 on the basis that the Utility provide adequate notice, in advance of the implementation of a rate increase, is noted. As a decision has been made on this matter in order to amend or rescind that decision the criteria for the reconsideration of a decision needs to be met. The criteria for the reconsideration of a decision is attached. If you wish to have the decision reconsidered you will need to make a formal request for reconsideration of that decision meeting the criteria.
I refer to your request to participate in the rate review process. After submitting their complete application package to this office the Utility will be required to formally notify and make the information available to all interested / affected parties upon request. After reviewing the information provided by the Utility in support of the application for a rate increase you will then have an opportunity to participate either individually or as part of French Creek Residents’ Association by making a formal submission(s) for review and consideration.
Rick Couroux
Secretary to the Comptroller of Water Rights

Utility Regulation Section

Water Stewardship Division

Phone: 250 387-6355

Fax: 250 943-5124

Email: Rick.Courouxgov.bc.ca