PSC 184.02(7) (7) “Project cost” means the total estimated costs of a proposed project including land acquisition, construction, pilot testing, test wells, inspection, and fees for professional services.

PSC 184.02(8) (8) “Service area” means the geographic area within which a utility has an obligation to provide service.

PSC 184.02(9) (9) “Utility” means a water public utility, as defined in s. 196.01 (5) (a), Stats., a combined water and sewer public utility under s. 66.0819, Stats., or any person, except a governmental unit, who furnishes service to or for the public by means of a sewerage system, as defined in s. 281.01 (14), Stats.

PSC 184.02 History History: CR 11-039: cr. Register July 2012 No. 679, eff. 8-1-12.

PSC 184.03 PSC 184.03 Activities requiring commission authorization.

PSC 184.03(1) (1) New utility. A person intending to operate as a utility may not begin construction of, install, or place in operation any facilities for furnishing water or sewer service in a municipality in which the person is not currently furnishing water or sewer service as a utility without the commission’s prior approval.

PSC 184.03(2) (2) Expansion, acquisition, and interconnection. A utility shall obtain a certificate from the commission before undertaking any of the following:

PSC 184.03(2)(a) (a) Constructing facilities or initiating service in a municipality not currently served by the utility.

PSC 184.03(2)(b) (b) Constructing facilities or initiating service in a service area of another utility.

PSC 184.03(2)(c) (c) Acquiring or placing in operation existing facilities for furnishing water or sewer service obtained from another person or utility.

PSC 184.03(2)(d) (d) Establishing an interconnection with another utility with which it has no existing interconnection.

PSC 184.03(2)(e) (e) Combining or consolidating with another utility.

PSC 184.03(3) (3) Construction of facilities.

PSC 184.03(3)(a) (a) A utility shall obtain a certificate from the commission before constructing, purchasing, installing, modifying, replacing, or placing in operation any plant not exempt under sub. (4) if the project cost exceeds the cost threshold specified in s. 196.49 (5g) (ar), Stats., as revised under par. (b).

PSC 184.03 Note Note: Examples of projects that typically require a certificate include all of the following:

PSC 184.03 Note 1. Groundwater wells, surface water intakes, and other sources of water supply.

PSC 184.03 Note 2. Water treatment, purification, and disinfection facilities.

PSC 184.03 Note 3. Elevated tanks, reservoirs, and other storage facilities.

PSC 184.03 Note 4. Pumping stations, pressure-reducing stations, and associated facilities.

PSC 184.03 Note 5. Utility buildings.

PSC 184.03 Note 6. Utility main if a portion of the main is located outside of the utility’s service area or if the main is eight inches or greater in nominal diameter and three or more miles long.

PSC 184.03 Note 7. Sewer facilities, including any pumping facilities or sewage treatment and disposal plant.

PSC 184.03(3)(b) (b) Beginning on May 1, 2014, and on May 1 of each successive even-numbered year thereafter, the commission shall adjust the cost thresholds in s. 196.49 (5g) (ar), Stats., to reflect changes to the cost of water utility construction based on the applicable industry cost index numbers published in the “Handy-Whitman Index of Public Utility Construction Costs.”

PSC 184.03(3)(c) (c) The commission shall notify all water utilities of the resulting adjusted cost limits by May 15 of each even-numbered year and shall publicize the adjusted cost limits on the commission’s website. If the Handy-Whitman Index is no longer available, an equivalent successor index may be used which is generally recognized by the water industry and acceptable to the commission.

PSC 184.03 Note Note: The commission maintains or has access to the Handy-Whitman Index of Public Utility Construction Costs and this reference or a copy may be reviewed by contacting the commission’s offices.

PSC 184.03(4) (4) Certificate not required. Notwithstanding sub. (3), a utility does not need a certificate to do any of the following:

PSC 184.03(4)(a) (a) Install, replace, or repair a utility main, unless one of the following applies:

PSC 184.03(4)(a)1. 1. A portion of the main is located outside of the utility’s service area.

PSC 184.03(4)(a)2. 2. The main is eight inches or greater in nominal diameter and three or more miles long.