Buying, selling or building a house in the Meadowmeer area?
SHARE TRANSFER PROCESS
During a real estate transaction:
The seller’s Title Company will request a final bill from MWS’ billing service provider Northwest Water Service (NWS).
Then the Shareholder shall surrender their current Share document by completing the Share transfer information on the back, and return the Share document to MWS, PO Box 10483, Bainbridge Island WA 98110.
Upon receipt of the transferring Share document and payment of final water bill and fees in full, plus a $250 transfer fee, NWS will establish an account in the name of the new owner and MWS will issue / mail an updated Share document (same Share #, address and tax ID but new Shareholder / account name) to the new homeowner.
SHARE PURCHASE POLICY
Requests for new water Shares should be made in writing to MWSA, c/o Board President, PO Box 10483, Bainbridge Island WA 98110.
Possession of a water Share indicates that MWSA’s water system currently has water rights and the capacity to deliver water for domestic use only to a specific property within our service area. The cost of a water Share is currently set at $8,000, subject to change. This new Share cost covers capital expenditures that were required to build the currently existing water system infrastructure. Any water connection costs associated with a new Share are solely the Shareholder’s responsibility.
Currently MWSA has a moratorium on issuing new water Shares since we have reached the limit of ERUs authorized by the WA Department of Health. The ability to sell new Shares will be periodically re-evaluated as the number of ERUs (or Shares) that MWSA is authorized to issue is updated by the WA Department of Health (typically based on our permitted water rights and the capacity of our physical infrastructure).
Shareholders with a water Share but without water meters will be billed the ‘water service-on-demand’ rate upon issuance of a Share.
WATER AVAILABILITY LETTER
Shareholders will be required to obtain a Water Availability Letter from MWSA to obtain a building permit from the City of Bainbridge Island / Kitsap County.
Shareholders with billing accounts in good standing (outstanding water bills and fees paid in full) should request this document in writing (no additional charge) from MWSA, c/o Board President, PO Box 10483, Bainbridge Island WA 98110.
Water Availability is authorized based on several conditions listed in the letter. Notably, connection to the water main, meter & meter box installation, and meter to house water service line must comply with MWSA’s then current Technical Standards and Specifications and other applicable WA building codes. All installation costs are the responsibility of the Shareholder and must be coordinated with and inspected by MWSA’s Water Operator prior to closing trenches. All inspection fees are the responsibility of the Shareholder. The Shareholder will be billed MWSA’s normal water rates upon installation of a water meter.
