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The Art of FGUA

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THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: October 11, 2008

It didn't last as long as the 100 Years' War, but there have been times when the dispute over claims that Aloha Utilities was delivering "black" drinking water to its customers in the Seven Springs-Trinity area of southwestern Pasco County had an "isn't-this-ever-going-to-end?" feel to it. Zooming ahead from the mid-15th century to 1938, it may be time to declare "Peace is at hand."

This week, the Pasco County Commission agreed to buy Aloha Utilities from its owners for a cool $90.5 million. The Florida Governmental Utility Authority, a consortium of counties from around the state set up to facilitate such public takeovers of private water and sewer service providers, brokered the deal.

FGUA officials seem confident the financial aspects of the buyout can be handled despite the trouble many governments are having tapping credit markets as a result of the current global financial turmoil.

Assuming the Pasco Aloha takeover does go through, an end to the discolored, unpleasant-smelling drinking water many Aloha customers have complained about for years could indeed be at hand. Pasco County Utilities has a track record in taking over private utilities and fixing problems such as this.

So hats off to the artful bargainers at FGUA for arranging a deal that could end the Black Water War.

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