PSC approves Great River's wholesale water contract with Jackson County Utility Authority to address water quality issues

The Public Service Commission approved Great River Operating Company's petition to purchase wholesale water from the Jackson County Utility Authority (JCUA) for four troubled systems in Jackson County, staff said.

Mr. Rhodes (staff) told commissioners Great River acquired multiple systems that have long histories of brownish water and high iron and tannin concentrations traced to the prior owner. The JCUA confirmed it has sufficient capacity and has agreed to install the underground infrastructure needed to deliver wholesale water at no cost to Great River or its customers. "Staff recommends that commission approve this petition," Rhodes said.

Great River representatives said interconnections are mostly ready and that 200 connections are essentially complete; one interconnect is expected to finish in January, at which point valves will be turned on systematically with JCUA personnel on site to manage the transition. Representatives also said they will coordinate customer notifications and expect flushing and short-term discoloration as old iron deposits are cleared.

Staff directed Great River to file an operational report three months after JCUA starts service and recommended decommissioning assets not meeting the 'used and useful' standard to remove them from rate base. Commissioners approved the proposed order on a voice vote.