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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>For HOA lawyers, this can be an issue when the association wants to be friendly to the people who are good neighbors who live next door and it would be so easy to just hook them up and charge the same fee... Oops. Now they are regulated by the UTC. If this is your client, look at the WACs very carefully. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Rob<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Robert D. Wilson-Hoss <br>Hoss & Wilson-Hoss, LLP <br>236 West Birch Street <br>Shelton, WA 98584 <br>360 426-2999<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><a href="www.hossandwilsonhoss.com">www.hossandwilson-hoss.com</a><br>rob@hctc.com</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><i><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>This message is intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the addressee, you are hereby notified that any use, distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify us by reply e-mail or by telephone (call us collect at the number listed above) and immediately delete this message and any and all of its attachments. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";text-transform:uppercase'>This office does debt collection and this e-mail may be an attempt to collect a debt, Any information obtained will be used for that purpose. </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>To the extent the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. § 1692) applies this firm is acting as a debt collector for the condominium/homeowners' association named above to collect a debt owed to it. Any information obtained will be used for collection purposes. You have the right to seek advice of legal counsel.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Jamie Morin<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, October 14, 2015 3:01 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Real Property Listserv<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBARP] Property rights of private "public" water systems<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_MailEndCompose"><span style='color:#1F497D'>Eric: Your assessment is correct—homeowners associations, corporations where all the service connections are shareholders, etc., are not under the jurisdiction of the WUTC. Think of it in terms of representation—if the water users have a vote in the corporation’s assessment of charges, no WUTC jurisdiction. If water users don’t have representation, WUTC jurisdiction provides consumer protections not otherwise available. </span></a><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:black'>Jamie M. Morin | Attorney<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:#00253D'>MENTOR</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Gill Sans MT","sans-serif";color:#987023'>LAW</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:#00253D'>GROUP</span><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:#00253D'>, </span><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Gill Sans MT","sans-serif";color:#00253D'>PLLC</span><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Gotham Light";color:#00253D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:black'>Phone (206) 838-7654 | Cell (206) 498-2381<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><a href="mailto:morin@mentorlaw.com"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:black'>morin@mentorlaw.com</span></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:black'> | </span><a href="www.mentorlaw.com"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:black'>www.mentorlaw.com</span></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> [<a href="mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Eric Nelsen<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, October 14, 2015 1:27 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Real Property Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBARP] Property rights of private "public" water systems<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Thanks Jamie! I see under <a href="http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=480-110&full=true#480-110-255">WAC 480-110-255</a>(2)(e) that WUTC jurisdiction does not include "mutual corporations or similar entities that provide service only to their owners or members." Rather its jurisdiction is over "investor-owned water companies." So that sounds like the jurisdiction is essentially for private companies who own a water system? Most privately owned systems I am aware of are owned by the people who receive the water service, which seems to fall under the exception to jurisdiction.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>SAYRE LAW OFFICES, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>1320 University St<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Seattle WA 98101-2837<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>phone 206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>fax 206-625-9040<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> <a href="mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> [<a href="mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Jamie Morin<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, October 14, 2015 12:57 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Real Property Listserv<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBARP] Property rights of private "public" water systems<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>If the corporate entity is a private corporation [as opposed to a municipal or quasi municipal corporation (city, county, special purpose dist) or homeowners association], the entity may still be regulated by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission with respect to its financial operation. WUTC jurisdiction kicks in at 100 customers or rates over $557 per customer per year. This is in addition to WDOH regulation for public health and safety under the Safe Drinking Water Act; and WDOE regulation of water rights. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:black'>Jamie M. Morin | Attorney<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:#00253D'>MENTOR</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Gill Sans MT","sans-serif";color:#987023'>LAW</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:#00253D'>GROUP</span><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:#00253D'>, </span><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Gill Sans MT","sans-serif";color:#00253D'>PLLC</span><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Gotham Light";color:#00253D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:black'>Phone (206) 838-7654 | Cell (206) 498-2381<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'><a href="mailto:morin@mentorlaw.com"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:black'>morin@mentorlaw.com</span></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:black'> | </span><a href="www.mentorlaw.com"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:black'>www.mentorlaw.com</span></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> [<a href="mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Eric Nelsen<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, October 12, 2015 12:25 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Real Property Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBARP] Property rights of private "public" water systems<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Thanks John--Yes, I do know that they are often by private agreement/restrictive covenants. Which means as far as I can tell that it's essentially a private ordering of property and water rights, subject only to DOH's health and safety concerns. Is that your experience? There's little in the way of state requirements for how fees are charged, how they're collected, penalties/suspending service for failure to pay, etc.?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>SAYRE LAW OFFICES, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>1320 University St<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Seattle WA 98101-2837<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>phone 206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>fax 206-625-9040<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> <a href="mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> [<a href="mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>John M. Riley III<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, October 12, 2015 12:07 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Real Property Listserv<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBARP] Property rights of private "public" water systems<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Eric:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Here in eastern Washington a lot of them are by private agreement or via a set of restrictive covenants. Check with the WSDOH -- I bet they may be able to steer you to a project so you could contact the project oversight persons/group to get copies of documents. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>John Riley<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=625 style='width:375.0pt'><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black;background:white'>John M. Riley, III</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Principal | Witherspoon • Kelley<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><a href="mailto:jmr@witherspoonkelley.com">jmr@witherspoonkelley.com</a> | <a href="http://www.witherspoonkelley.com/john-riley-1">Attorney Profile</a> | <a href="http://www.witherspoonkelley.com/s/jmr.vcf">vCard</a><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=469 style='width:281.25pt'><tr><td style='background:#17365D;padding:7.5pt 7.5pt 7.5pt 7.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.witherspoonkelley.com"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=106 height=82 id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image001.png@01D1072B.8D072960"></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style='background:#17365D;padding:7.5pt 7.5pt 7.5pt 7.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:white'>422 W. Riverside Ave, Ste 1100<br>Spokane, WA 99201 <br>(509) 624-5265 (office)<br>(509) 458-2728 (fax)<br>witherspoonkelley.com <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p><em><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:gray'>Confidentiality Notice: The information contained in this email and any accompanying attachment(s) is intended only for the use of the intended recipient and may be confidential and/or privileged. If any reader of this communication is not the intended recipient, unauthorized use, disclosure or copying is strictly prohibited, and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender by return email, and delete the original message and all copies from your system. Thank you.</span></em><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> <a href="mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> [<a href="mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Eric Nelsen<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, October 12, 2015 10:52 AM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Real Property listserve (<a href="mailto:wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>)<br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBARP] Property rights of private "public" water systems<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am trying to wrap my head around the general organizational types for water service to multiple properties. It looks to me like there are a few different types of governmental water service, all municipal corporations or direct operation by a local government, either under County authority (RCW 36.94), or formation of a water-sewer district (Title 57 RCW), or annexation by a city (RCW 35.13A).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>But am I right in thinking that a "Group A public water system" is by definition a private entity, and never a municipal corporation of any kind? Of course the water service is regulated <u>for health purposes</u> by either the state or a County Department of Health, but it seems to me that the private ownership of the water system can be organized in virtually any fashion.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Are there statutory or regulatory restrictions (or case law) on a private water system's authority to charge fees, assess penalties, accumulate reserves, etc.? Imposing due process requirements, equal treatment, etc.? <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If there is a reference resource that I can use to look at this kind of information, please I'd love to find it. Thanks!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>SAYRE LAW OFFICES, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>1320 University St<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Seattle WA 98101-2837<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>phone 206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>fax 206-625-9040<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>