Residents in Wedgefield say they are paying hundreds of dollars a month for water they do not feel comfortable drinking as Orange County officials consider the community’s ongoing utility problems.
Pius Sanabani said his first Pluris Water bill was more than $200 — higher than his electric bill.
“The water bill cost more than the light bill,” Sanabani said. “Have you seen that anywhere in the world?”
Sanabani said he does not drink the water because of what he describes as quality concerns, including white residue that has clogged his faucets and shower.
“It’s clogging my faucet,” he said. “Some white stuff is coming out.”
About 1,700 residents rely on Pluris Water, according to residents.
Erin Pommier said her bill can reach $350 a month. She also said clothes and sheets washed with the water have developed what appear to be bleach stains, even though she does not use bleach.
Pommier said her family installed additional filtration systems at its own expense because she is concerned about the water.
“We’ve had to hook up a special filtration system in our house,” she said. “We’ve spent money out of our own pockets putting extra filters on all of our water because I’m nervous.”
Residents have pushed in recent years to connect the community to Orange County Utilities, but negotiations have repeatedly stalled.
An $83.4 million proposal from the Florida Governmental Utility Authority also fell apart earlier this year.
Sanabani said he would support a takeover if it resulted in more affordable water bills.
“If anybody can take over the company and get the water bill down to where we can afford it, I’m in support of that,” he said.
Pommier said she believes the system needs a major overhaul.
“I would rather have safe drinking water for my children and myself than worry about what the cost would be for them to take over,” she said.
The Orange County Commission is expected to discuss next steps at its meeting this morning.
Pluris was contacted for comment on residents’ concerns about water quality and billing. They responded saying quote: “Our water quality meets all federal Environmental Protection Authority (“EPA”) and State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (“FDEP”) state drinking water standards and is regulated by the FDEP. All rates are set by the State of Florida Public Services Commission (“FPSC”).”