Docket Number	Docket Name	Company
UW 211	AVION WATER COMPANY REQUEST FOR A GENERAL RATE REVISION	AVION WATER COMPANY, INC.

Created Date	Comment Type	First Name	Last Name	Comment
4/30/2026 12:36:47 AM	General Comment			Dear Oregon Public Utility Commission, Avion Water Company is requesting a significant rate increase citing rising operational costs. However, they have not adequately addressed a critical deficiency in their system: lack of backup power for water production in my neighborhood of Whychus Canyon Estates, Sisters, Oregon. In the year 2026, we had several water outages requiring a boil water alert each time. This does not include the Flat Fire outage. This raises a fundamental concern: Why should customers pay more for a system that may fails frequently and during emergencies? In wildfire conditions or planned power shutoffs, water availability becomes uncertain. This exposes residents to: * Increased fire risk * Reduced emergency response capability * Potential property loss Infrastructure resilience is a basic responsibility of a water provider—not an optional upgrade. I urge the Commission to: * Deny or condition approval of this rate increase * Require a funded, scheduled plan for backup generation at key wells * Hold Avion accountable for delivering reliable service under emergency conditions Rate increases should follow performance and investment—not precede them. I request that you inform me of the date for the public hearing. I and many of my neighbors are interested in attending. Thank you, Linda Strahm 17535 Mountain View Road Sisters, Or 97759
5/3/2026 8:51:07 AM	Oppose Docket	john	klement	Subject: Opposition to Rate Increase without critical infrastructure improvements. I am a customer of Avion Water Company in Central Oregon and am writing regarding the proposed rate increase filed in April 2026. I oppose any rate increase until Avion addresses critical public safety issues: lack of back-up power for their water wells during power outages and lack of fire truck connection at the wells for high volume water transfer. This is not an existential concern. Recent wildfire events at Whychus Canyon Estates, Oregon entailed power shut-off by Central Electric Cooperative and this resulted in compromised water availability for wildfire fighting. This placed homes and residents at risk because of impaired emergency response and impeded fire fighting capability. I would request that any rate increase be tied to a requirement that Avion obtain a backup generator system for it's wells within a reasonable timeframe and install high volume connections for firetrucks for high volume water tansfer. Water access is not optional during wildfire events like we recently experienced and is of critical public safety. Thank you John Klement 17443 Mountain View Road, Sisters, Oregon 97759
5/4/2026 1:37:44 PM	Oppose Docket	Bill	Jones	Saw a notice for increase in rates. I have been here 6 years trying to contact them by phone and email. Have talked to employees on site. They have no back up power during outages. With the threat of wildfire the electric company can do a PSPS then we have no means of using well water for watering down items or have drinking water. They really should have a back up generator for the 600 or so residents. They should have a water main at the well and so firefighters can tap in for fighting fires. I Disapprove of any rate increase without back up power.
5/14/2026 12:34:07 AM	General Comment			UW211 – request by Avion Water to increase prices, especially as related to irrigation water for Nottingham Square. Irrigation water is provided to the subdivision with irregularity as it is and to increase the monthly price by $5.00 is outrageous. The current pricing is already too high, since we pay the $43.17 every month throughout the year and only get water at best for five months. Avion is currently sponsoring a big three day wine tasting and dinner event in July which has to be expensive, yet they are requesting additional dollars from low end subdivision residents. Please do not give them this increase. Thank you Geneese Zinsli Bend Nottingham Square resident
6/20/2026 4:55:53 PM	Oppose Docket	Byron	Smith	Giving the fact that we have no recourse to change our supplier, I don't know why you are even asking for comments. Your going to do what you're going to do. We really have no choice in the matter.
7/1/2026 7:21:37 AM	Oppose Docket	Travis	Lowe	I am on a fixed income and feel this rate hike will have a negative impact on my well being.
7/1/2026 9:44:04 AM	Oppose Docket	Ryan	Leavitt	Avion has not provided the public adequate justification for this rate hike. In a community with ever increasing costs, we cannot stand for this especially at a double digit hike.
7/1/2026 10:21:55 AM	Oppose Docket	Dorothy	Ferns	No on the rate increase! I’m on a fixed income and my bill is already close to two hundred dollars. I use about three dollars in water. Ivan not afford an increase. Charge more to the people just joining. I have been a customer for 50 years. My vote is NO
7/1/2026 12:40:06 PM	Oppose Docket	Lisa	Gentz	I have no doubt that costs have gone up and infrastructure needs updating. However this proposed 10%+ hike seems like bad management. How about forecasting for rising costs and slowly, incrementally raising rates to ease the pain of customers. 10% in one shot is too much. Also, since there isn’t a limit as to how many times they ask the PUC for rate hikes, who’s to say they won’t come back next year with yet another 10% increase.
7/1/2026 4:08:36 PM	Oppose Docket	Brian	Shenk	Avion Water Company requesting a rate increase of 10.28% for more than 16,000 customers is ridiculous. Please do not allow them to fleece our town and request unreasonable rate increases.
7/2/2026 12:35:15 AM	General Comment			We live on Long Butte; our private water system (serves 300+ families) was recently bought by Avion, thank God. I want Avion to have the funds it needs to guarantee our water supply. We were dependent on a single well with disaster inevitable until Avion stepped in and ran an additional supply line up the hill to support water demand. A 10% increase in our modest water bill is totally appropriate and we support it. M. Mike Osborn mosborn2121@outlook.com<mailto:mosborn2121@outlook.com> 541-460-3861
7/2/2026 12:35:18 AM	General Comment			To: PUC.PublicComments@puc.oregon.gov Subject: Public Comment: Avion Water Company Rate Increase Request – Docket No. UW 202 Dear Commissioners, I am writing as a resident and customer of Avion Water Company to formally express my concerns regarding the proposed 10.28% water rate increase. While I understand that operational costs and infrastructure maintenance evolve, a double-digit increase places a significant and abrupt financial burden on local households. Many families and individuals in Deschutes and Crook counties are already managing rising costs across all essential living expenses, including housing, food, and energy. Water is a fundamental necessity, and such a sharp rate hike outpaces standard cost-of-living adjustments for average consumers. I appreciate the Public Utility Commission’s decision to suspend the request and conduct a thorough investigation into Avion’s operational and financial needs. I strongly urge the Commission to carefully scrutinize this proposal to ensure that any approved adjustments are strictly necessary, fair, and minimized to lessen the economic impact on the community. Thank you for your time, dedication to consumer advocacy, and consideration of this feedback. Sincerely, CARSON AND HELENE HAURY 21875 BUTTE RANCH RD BEND OR 97702
7/3/2026 1:19:23 PM	Oppose Docket	Robert	Reiten	The requested rate increase seems excessive. Will this set precedent for future rate increase?
7/4/2026 4:11:15 PM	Oppose Docket	Kaylee	Francis	I don’t think good Central Oregonians who already are completely strained under the tariffs, the increased cost of gas and groceries, and so on, deserve to be punished through such a dramatic increase (or an increase at all, frankly). This should be paid by the data centers and golf courses that are taking far, far more water than the average Avion user. Increase their prices, not ours. We won’t stand for this. We won’t. You know who can afford to pay greedy price hikes—data centers and all these wasteful golf courses.
7/5/2026 10:53:55 AM	Oppose Docket	Sandra	Yeates	I am opposed to the increase in water rates. They are already too high. My base pay is just under $100/month which is insane. Thank you for your time.
7/6/2026 10:55:15 AM	General (Docket-Specific)	Victoria	Gordon	I am a resident of a Firewise community served by Avion Water Company. Our community has worked hard to do all we can to be Firewise. Last summer the Flat Fire came into our community. Due to fortuitous circumstances (no other major fires in Oregon, so we had firefighters from all over Oregon), our homes were saved. But what we did not have was a local water supply. The power was shut down in our neighborhood as a precaution which meant our Avion well did not have power. Nor does our well have a backup power system. We all know our region faces increasing wildfire risk. In these conditions, reliable water access is not just a utility issue—it is a life safety issue. Avion Water is requesting a rate increase while failing to address a known vulnerability: their wells are dependent on grid power, with no adequate backup generation. During power outages: Hydrants may lose pressure Firefighters may lack reliable water supply Communities are put at unnecessary risk Residents and volunteers have invested significant time and money into defensible space and fuel reduction. These efforts are undermined if water infrastructure fails when it is needed most. I ask the Commission to: Require backup power solutions for Avion’s wells Prioritize system resilience as part of any rate approval Ensure that ratepayer dollars directly improve emergency readiness Without these improvements, a rate increase is premature and unjustified. Thank you.
7/6/2026 11:28:59 AM	General (Docket-Specific)	Ronald	Sipe	Subject: Rate Increase Must Include Wildfire Resilience Improvements Dear Commissioners, I am writing as a resident of a Firewise community served by Avion Water Company. Our region faces increasing wildfire risk. In these conditions, reliable water access is not just a utility issue—it is a life safety issue. Avion Water is requesting a rate increase while failing to address a known vulnerability:?their wells are dependent on grid power, with no adequate backup generation. During power outages: -Hydrants may lose pressure -Firefighters may lack reliable water supply -Communities are put at unnecessary risk Residents and volunteers have invested significant time and money into defensible space and fuel reduction. These efforts are undermined if water infrastructure fails when it is needed most. I ask the Commission to: -Require backup power solutions for Avion’s wells -Prioritize system resilience as part of any rate approval -Ensure that ratepayer dollars directly improve emergency readiness Without these improvements, a rate increase is premature and unjustified. Respectfully,? Ronald Sipe Whychus Canyon Estates Sisters Oregon
7/7/2026 12:37:04 AM	General Comment			Dear Oregon Public Utility Commission, I am a customer of Avion Water Company in Sisters, Oregon and I am writing regarding their proposed rate increase filed in April 2026. I strongly oppose any rate increase unless Avion addresses a critical public safety issue: lack of backup power for their water wells during outages. During recent Flat Fire and other power shutoffs, water availability was compromised or at risk. This is not a theoretical concern—it directly affects: 1. Fire suppression capability 2. Emergency response 3. The safety of homes and residents 4. It is unreasonable to request increased rates while failing to invest in basic system resilience. I respectfully request that the Commission: 1. Require Avion Water to implement backup generator systems for their wells 2. Tie any rate approval to a clear, enforceable infrastructure improvement plan 3. Ensure customer funds are used to improve reliability and public safety Water service is not optional infrastructure—it is essential, especially in wildfire-prone regions like ours. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Linda Klein 17655 Mountain View Rd, Sisters, OR 97759
7/7/2026 12:37:08 AM	General Comment			PUC , I consider a rate increase justified but only regarding the implementation of a back up generator to maintain water pressure for fire fighting support during a power failure. We need this! Regards, Robert Johnson Sisters, Or
7/7/2026 12:37:11 AM	General Comment			Oregon Public Utility Commission, As a confined customer of Avion Water Company, I am writing in opposition to the proposed 10.28% rate increase. I would like to first point out the increases that have taken place since the acquisition of Long Butte Water System in about August 2024. The DOMESTIC BASE RATE was $23.77, Avion immediately increased the rate 24% to $29.47. The RATE PER 100 CUBIC FEET was $1.01, in April of 2025 Avion increased the rate 22% to $1.22. Another 10.28% would roughly represent a 33% increase in two years! I am not opposed to increases, but I am opposed to abusive, excessive increases and I view ANOTHER 10.28% an excessive customer burden. I am also opposed to excessive water usage so if Avion wants to increase anything, increase the usage rate to high volume users. Thank you for taking time to consider my views. Ron Reams 21085 Oriole Lane Bend OR.
7/7/2026 7:14:37 AM	Oppose Docket	Jeff	Stephens	I'm writing as a new customer of Avion Water urging the Commission to reject the company's request for a rate hike. Our small community water delivery organization called Klippel Water (<30 connections near Bend) was acquired by Avion in Fall 2025. As part of the acquisition, we were told that rates were not expected to increase. I believe it is premature to raise rates on our neighborhood without a clear demonstration of the value that Avion Water is delivering. I urge the Commission to reject the rate increase.
7/7/2026 5:57:01 PM	General (Docket-Specific)	Kerie	Raymond	I am commenting as a customer of Avion Water about the proposal for a general rate revision increase of around 10% For the average customer, that is around $10 increase/month, or $120/yr. That is a significant increase for many people. When I first learned of the proposed increase, I did some research on other water providers in the area, such as the City of Bend, to compare their rates. What I learned is that the City of Bend Base Rate is pretty much the same (0.12c cheaper), but their consumption fee is almost double per 100 cu ft. With the state of drought we are experiencing in Central Oregon, it seems that people don't realise that we need to curb our water use. One of the ways to educate people on the value of water is to increase the price. Not the base rate, but the consumption rate. Right now there is no incentive to use less water, as it's only cents at stake here. Avion's proposal is to increase the Base Rate by 12%, but only increase the consumption rate by 5%. I propose switching that and increasing the consumption rate rather than the base rate. If I calculate my latest bill using City of Bend rates, it would be one dollar more than the Avion proposal. Basically, no change in the Base Rate, but a big increase in the consumption rate. I think Avion can achieve its $1.41M increase by doing it differently and emphasizing and increasing the consumption rate, rather than the Base Rate. Thank you for your time.
7/9/2026 12:36:19 AM	General Comment			? Dear Oregon Public Utility Commission, I am a customer of Avion Water Company in Central Oregon and am writing regarding their proposed rate increase filed in April 2026. I strongly oppose any rate increase unless Avion addresses a critical public safety issue: lack of backup power for their water wells during outages. During recent wildfire events and power shutoffs, water availability was compromised or at risk. This is not a theoretical concern—it directly affects: * Fire suppression capability * Emergency response * The safety of homes and residents It is unreasonable to request increased rates while failing to invest in basic system resilience. I respectfully request that the Commission: * Require Avion Water to implement backup generator systems for their wells * Tie any rate approval to a clear, enforceable infrastructure improvement plan * Ensure customer funds are used to improve reliability and public safety Water service is not optional infrastructure—it is essential, especially in wildfire-prone regions like ours. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Jennifer Sutter 17357 Mountain View road, Sisters, OR Sent from my iPhone
7/9/2026 1:44:22 PM	Oppose Docket	Gar	Slenning	With regard to Avion water UW 211 rate hike this raises concerns to all that live in Whychus Canyon Estates. Why should we pay more for water when the system fails during fire emergencies. With power shutoffs this places us exposed to increased fire risk, reduced emergency response and potential property loss. I urge the Commission to deny or approve a rate increase, if a funded and scheduled plan is in place for a backup generator. There should be reliable service for emergencies in our area. Sincerely, Gar & Shannon
7/12/2026 3:50:20 PM	Support Docket	Rod and Judy	Campuzano	Last year Avion Water was “gifted” Klippel Water, Inc. (private) by the Board of Klippel subdivision. Rod has lived here since 1975 for the inception of Carl Klippel Wells forming. Judy came here in the late 80’s but was a customer of Avion water prior in Homestead subdivision. Klippel Wells, Inc. base rate for 30-40 years has been $25-$35 per month. Prior homeowners to 2008 have maintained the entire system. Unfortunately, the newcomers and new Board members thereafter have solely paid a base rate and may not understand water usage, equipment, maintenance, maintaining system operator certifications, outdoor usage and transparency of communication, even when approached. Our base rate over the last five years increased to $65/month. Avion has had incredible service; our meters were updated; billing is done remotely as well as 24/7 service by professionals. Customer service answers questions within hours thoroughly. After reading all the information, Rod and Judy are in favor of the rate increase.
7/15/2026 8:22:32 AM	Oppose Docket	Bryan	Adams	Public Comment Opposing Avion Water Company's Proposed General Rate Increase Oregon Public Utility Commission Docket UW 211 Dear Commissioners, I respectfully request that the Oregon Public Utility Commission deny or substantially reduce Avion Water Company's proposed 10.28% general rate increase unless and until Avion demonstrates that the increase satisfies Oregon's requirement that utility rates be just, reasonable, and based solely on prudent costs necessary to provide safe, reliable, and efficient water service. I recognize that utilities periodically require rate adjustments to maintain infrastructure and continue providing quality service. However, it is Avion—not its customers—that bears the burden of proving that every component of its proposed revenue requirement is reasonable, prudent, and directly benefits ratepayers. Affiliate Transactions and Corporate Cost Allocations Avion is 50% owned by NW Natural Water, a subsidiary of Northwest Natural Holding Company (NYSE: NWN), with the remaining 50% owned by Avion's original local shareholders. Given this ownership structure, the Commission should carefully scrutinize all transactions between Avion and its affiliated companies. Avion should be required to demonstrate that every management fee, administrative charge, legal expense, accounting service, information technology cost, engineering charge, executive salary allocation, and other affiliated-company expense reflects the actual cost of serving Avion customers and is no greater than what would have been incurred through an arm's-length transaction. Customers should not be required to pay for costs associated with corporate management, acquisitions, investor relations, executive incentive programs, business development, or other activities that primarily benefit NW Natural or its shareholders rather than Avion's customers. NW Natural's Financial Strength and Access to Capital NW Natural Holdings is a financially strong, publicly traded utility holding company. In 2025, NW Natural reported approximately $1.29 billion in operating revenue, more than $113 million in net income, and record adjusted earnings while investing approximately $467 million in utility infrastructure. Equally important, NW Natural has increased its shareholder dividend for 70 consecutive years—one of the longest dividend growth records in the utility industry. A company does not sustain seven decades of uninterrupted dividend growth without strong cash flow, consistent profitability, investment-grade credit, and reliable access to debt and equity capital. NW Natural has also announced billions of dollars of planned utility investment over the coming years, further demonstrating its ability to finance infrastructure through capital markets rather than relying solely on customer rate increases. These facts do not eliminate Avion's right to recover prudent costs or earn a fair return on prudent investments. However, they do require the Commission to carefully evaluate whether Avion's proposed financing assumptions accurately reflect the financial advantages associated with being affiliated with a large, well-capitalized utility holding company. Customers should not become the primary source of financing simply because a rate increase is available through the regulatory process. Return on Equity and Cost of Capital The Commission should carefully evaluate Avion's requested return on equity, capital structure, and cost of debt. If Avion is requesting a return on equity in the range commonly authorized for regulated water utilities—approximately 9 to 10% — the Commission should determine whether that requested return appropriately reflects Avion's actual business and financial risk. Given NW Natural's demonstrated financial strength, long-standing access to low-cost capital, and decades of successful financing in public capital markets, customers should not be required to provide both: • a premium return on equity designed to attract investment capital; and • increased customer cash flow through a double-digit rate increase, when Avion benefits from affiliation with a parent company that has already demonstrated ample financial capacity. The purpose of an authorized return on equity is to provide utilities with a reasonable opportunity to attract capital—not to maximize shareholder returns when capital is already readily available through a financially strong parent organization. The Commission should therefore carefully determine whether Avion's requested return accurately reflects its actual financing circumstances rather than those of a small stand-alone utility. Capital Projects and Revenue Requirement Avion states that the requested increase is necessary to fund infrastructure improvements, operations, and maintenance. These objectives are important, but the Commission should independently verify that every capital investment included in rate base: • was prudently planned; • was competitively procu
7/19/2026 8:24:10 PM	General (Docket-Specific)	Michael	ONeal	The Squaw (Whychus) Creek Canyon water system owned/operated by Avion Water Co has experienced recently (July 6 and July 19) MAJOR power outages of 3 hour durations. It has been well known that standby/emergency power generation equipment is not installed on this system. In short while water pressure is diminished to the point of no water at our location. After July 6 we experienced 2 days of extreme venting of air from our house fixtures. As I write this we have no water after and additional 3 hours beyond the power outage. I have no idea when we might have water in our house. Standby power generation might help with the water pressure loss but I believe the problems facing Avion Water here are more complicated: the power company (CEC) has given over their control to an automated control system of uncertain parameters in the name of fire safety, and their restoration process now apparently does not allow automated breaker closing after a fault has been remedied so that any such outage is an automatic 2-3hrs to manually go and close breakers. But there is evident a larger problem looming: the extent of building in this area is producing user numbers that are exceeding the system capacity to deliver water (when it is operating) to all users at required minimum pressures. This problem will only get worse as Deschutes County continues to approve new construction. As the PUC regulates rates, there must be some authority that is tasked with ensuring Public Health and Safety. I consider having no water available for household use to be a public health issue at least.