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Highlands Today

Is The Water Safe?

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By Gary Pinnell | Highlands Today

Published: November 16, 2007

LAKE PLACID — In July, the 70 customers of Sebring Lakes won their water rate battle with Aqua Utilities, a Philadelphia water company. Some customers who were paying $10 or $20 a month were suddenly getting bills for $180 or $190 a month.

But although the Florida Public Service Commission demanded a refund for Sebring Lakes residents, the money still hasn't come, said Jane Barnard, who lives on Tangelo.

"They have not paid back one single penny," said Barnard, a senior citizen who lives with her husband, Floyd, in the small subdivision between Sebring and Lake Placid, just a block from U.S. 27. The residents are mostly middle-class retirees who live in two-or-three bedroom concrete block homes.

Residents have also complained of brackish water.

"In two days, you'll get a ring around your toilet," said Leon Nazian, who lives on Riverway Drive.

On Nov. 29, Sebring Lakes residents are hoping, some of their problems will be resolved at a 10 a.m. PSC hearing.

"The purpose of this meeting is to review Aqua Utilities Florida Inc.'s response time performance relative to the Commission's complaint process, and any other service quality issues," says a notice of the hearing.

Bev DeMello, a PSC spokeswoman, encouraged Aqua Utilities customers to call or write before the meeting so their issues can be discussed.

Terry Maenza, a spokesman for Aqua, headquartered in Bryn Mawr, Pa., said refunds – in the form of credits – should be applied to next month's bill. Amounts will depend on past usage. He couldn't give a total amount that will be refunded to the 70 customers.

He said water bills were raised to cover Aqua's capital investments across Florida, to keep up with environmental regulations, and to replace old systems.

Aqua used Florida PSC's provision to allow companies to temporarily raise rates. Eventually, in Aqua's settlement with the PSC, the company went back to its original rates.

Maenza also could not answer questions about why the water is bad.

"It's something I'll have to look into," he said. He will talk to Chris Franklin, who is in charge of Aqua systems in this area. He doesn't know if Aqua has scheduled maintenance to upgrade the Sebring Lakes system.

Floyd Barnard and his next-door neighbor, David Tardiff, said they won't allow their pets to drink the water. Barnard has installed a system to filter all the water in the house, plus an extra filter on the kitchen sink.

"And the only thing I'll do with that is to make coffee," Barnard said. Boiling the water makes it safe, he's guessing.

Nazian is having the well tested behind his home.

Is the water safe to drink?

"I'm not aware of a violation or boil water notices," said Maenza, the Aqua spokesman.

Aqua was required by the PSC to hold town hall meetings with its customers, but those haven't been scheduled yet, said DeMello and Maenza.

"I not sure when that will happen," DeMello said. "I believe the plan is for next year, 2008."

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