Two utility companies file to expand service

Two Pahrump utility companies are looking to expand their service areas.

Utilities, Inc. of Central Nevada and Pahrump Utility Company, Inc., filed applications for expansion of their service area with the Nevada Public Utilities Commission.

UICN filed an application on July 7 to expand its water and sewer service territory within the Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch.

The Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch development is approximately 407 acres, which is within UICN’s service territory, with the exception of the 120-acre parcel that is the subject of the application.

UICN Spokesman Tom Oakley said the application was filed at the request of Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch.

“We can only expand our territory at the property owner’s request,” Oakley said.

Spring Mountain will build all of the infrastructure and dedicate it to UICN, he added.

“They pay for the costs of engineering, inspection, permitting, annexation, everything, so no rate hike,” Oakley said. “In fact, the ratepayers get a bigger customer base to spread the current utility costs over so it actually has the potential to be a good thing for our current customers.”

The SMMR is developing residential and commercial units on property surrounding the existing track facilities.

If granted the request, UICN will provide service to 80 single-family residential lots along the east and north sides of the track, planned 62 acres of commercial development along Highway 160 in two phases and connection to existing track facilities that are currently hooked up to a private well and septic tank.

The SMMR has contracted with Golder Associates Inc. to complete the design of the water and wastewater infrastructure improvements that would be required to serve the development.

According to the documents, estimated cost for construction of the water system is $2,390,091 and $1,657,590 for wastewater treatment plant construction.

Additionally, UICN will submit an application to the Public Utilities Commission, pursuant to the Nevada Utility Environmental Protection Act to construct stand-alone water and wastewater infrastructure for the SMMR development.

Pahrump Utility filed an application with the PUC on July 13 to expand its service area for a total area of 51.39 acres of commercial and residential development.

Tim Hafen, president of PUCI, said the annexation was requested by the property’s owners who wanted to be in PUCI’s service territory.

“We don’t annex anything unless it’s requested,” Hafen said.

The requested area includes six lots along Grain Mill Road, a 40-acre parcel along Manse Road between Nevada State Route 160 and South Hafen Ranch Road and several other small parcels, Hafen said.

The annexation will come at no cost to ratepayers as property owners will have to pay for connection and capacities in the water and sewer plant.

‘The service will be more reliable than a small private well,” Hafen said.

Contact reporter Daria Sokolova at dsokolova@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @DariaSokolova77