(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.
(2) EXPANSION,
ACQUISITION, AND INTERCONNECTION. A utility shall obtain a certificate from the
commission before undertaking any of the following:
(a) Constructing facilities or initiating
service in a municipality not currently served by the utility.
(b) Constructing facilities or initiating
service in a service area of another utility.
(c) Acquiring or placing in operation
existing facilities for furnishing water or sewer service obtained from another
person or utility.
(d) Establishing
an interconnection with another utility with which it has no existing
interconnection.
(e) Combining or
consolidating with another utility.
(3) CONSTRUCTION OF FACILITIES.
(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).
Note: Examples of projects that typically require
a certificate include all of the following:
1. Groundwater wells, surface water intakes,
and other sources of water supply.
2. Water treatment, purification, and
disinfection facilities.
3. Elevated
tanks, reservoirs, and other storage facilities.
4. Pumping stations, pressure-reducing
stations, and associated facilities.
5. Utility buildings.
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.
7. Sewer facilities, including any pumping
facilities or sewage treatment and disposal plant.
(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."
(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.
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.
(4)
CERTIFICATE NOT REQUIRED. Notwithstanding sub. (3), a utility does not need a
certificate to do any of the following:
(a)
Install, replace, or repair a utility main, unless one of the following
applies:
1. A portion of the main is located
outside of the utility's service area.
2. The main is eight inches or greater in
nominal diameter and three or more miles long.
(b) Install, replace, or repair service
laterals, hydrants, or valves within the utility's service area.
(c) Meter installation, repair, or
replacement.
(d) Install, replace,
or repair supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, telemetry
equipment, or other electronic monitoring and control systems.
(e) Replace or repair existing pumps, motors,
or associated equipment.
(f)
Conduct routine maintenance or repair to utility facilities, including
buildings used for utility purposes.
(g) Replace or repair filtration media used
in existing water treatment purification and disinfection facilities.
(h) Install plant in accordance with filed
extension rules and rates.
(i)
Install plant in compliance with a commission order.
(j) Relocate or modify existing plant to
accommodate highway or airport construction.
(k) Acquire vehicles or other movable
equipment.
