South Nampa subdivision's water rate could more than double

NAMPA — Southshore Subdivision No. 2 — a small subdivision of homes just south of Lake Lowell in Nampa — may see a water utility rate hike more than double its current rate if its water company’s application to raise its flat monthly fee gets approved.

Residents there currently pay $95 per month. The attempted increase is $100, making the new price $195 — more than twice the current rate — if it gets approved. Southshore 2 Water Company has served the subdivision, “operating continuously as a community water system since 2012,” according to Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC).

Southshore 2 Water Company has served as a public water utility since June 3, when IPUC granted Southshore its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.

“The CPCN will allow Southshore 2 Water to operate as a public utility in Idaho,” the release states. “Southshore 2 Water owns and operates a water system in Nampa and serves 15 residential customers in the Southshore Subdivision No. 2.”

In addition to conforming the IPUC’s rules, Southshore 2 Water Company was “directed to maintain current rates customers are charged until a separate docket is opened by commission staff to determine whether the rates are fair, just and reasonable.”

The commission sent out a news release about Southshore 2 Water Company’s application that sought approval to raise its flat monthly rate for services.

“The utility said the requested rate increase is necessary to recover current costs for operations, maintenance, administration, customer accounting and other costs,” the commission states.

The Idaho Press reached out to the commission for clarity on the utility’s ask to raise the rate but did not receive a response by press time.

The Southshore Subdivision No. 2 Homeowners Association Board of Directors doesn’t agree the rate increase is necessary, according to documents Cristina Jacuzzi, the HOA’s board president, submitted Thursday to the commission.

“The board respectfully requests that the commission deny, or at a minimum defer, approval of this request until the significant financial, legal and ownership issues surrounding the water system have been fully evaluated,” Jacuzzi said in her letter dated July 15. “The current monthly water rate of $95 already represents a substantial expense for many homeowners in our community. Many residents are retired or living on fixed incomes, and an additional $100 per month would create a significant financial hardship for numerous households. Before imposing such a dramatic increase, we respectfully ask the commission to carefully consider the effect it would have on the families who call Southshore Subdivision No. 2 home.”

According to the letter, the HOA retained legal counsel to “investigate the history of the water system, the associated water rights and the related property transfers.”

Based on the HOA counsel’s review of the recorded deeds and historical documents, “our attorney has advised the HOA that there are substantial legal questions regarding whether the physical water infrastructure and associated water rights were ever effectively conveyed to Southshore Water 2 Company,” the letter states.

The letter states Lot 16, which contains the community’s water facilities, transferred ownership of the property to the HOA. According to the letter, Jacuzzi claims there is no proof the water rights were excluded from the transfer to the HOA.

Fast-forward to late 2025, the HOA “ultimately retained legal counsel … to determine the validity of the claimed transfer.”

In addition to asking IPUC to look into the financial claims that have seemingly led to the utility rate increase request, the HOA also provided the upshot of what happens should it be “ultimately successful in establishing ownership of the water system and associated water rights.”

“The system would be operated for the benefit of the homeowners rather than by a private owner,” the letter states. “The board believes this would provide greater transparency, local accountability and the opportunity to establish water rates based upon the actual costs of operating, maintaining, repairing and regulating the system. Over the long term, this could reduce water costs, protect property values and make the community more attractive to future buyers.”

Matthew Neil Wells is the Nampa reporter at the Idaho Press. He covers city government, crime, features, profiles on people, and events. You can follow him on X @MatthewNWells, and email him at mwells@idahopress.com.