Working alongside Orange County Utilities and the residents of Wedgefield, I initiated the process to have Orange County purchase Pluris Holdings, LLC. The process has been on hold due to a water-contamination lawsuit with the residents of Wedgefield, which they have recently settled. For years, the residents have fought against the cost and quality of Pluris’ services. If Wedgefield residents allow, Orange Couty will regulate the Wedgefield Water Utilities in the near future. See our upcoming events section for details of our Community Meetings with the Wedgefield community below to receive the updated information.
Extending Water Services to Bithlo
On October 25th, the Utilities Department and I delivered a presentation to the community of Bithlo regarding a Water Main Extension! Phase 1 West will extend service to 337 parcels in SW Bithlo, south of SR 50 and west of N. 3rd St. After lobbying for utility infrastructure for years, I am grateful that the American Rescue Plan Act funding made this project possible! More updates and project phases to come!
Pluris plans to add to its costly water charges, dismayed customers learn
The Dallas-based private utility is taking advantage of a provision in Florida law that allows for so-called “price index and pass through increases” without a formal hearing. Nonetheless, Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla said she intends to send a letter of protest to the Florida Public Service Commission. “You need water to survive and to have a monopoly on water where you can raise the rate whenever you feel like it just isn’t right,” she said.
Wedgefield residents say water is bleaching their laundry
Orange Commissioner Emily Bonilla, who represents the area, asked the county to look into a purchase during Tuesday’ s commission meeting. Bonilla also asked the county to send a letter asking for jurisdiction of the private Pluris utility be transferred from the Florida Public Service Commission to the county to prevent the rate hike.
A private company wants to charge this neighborhood more for their water, even though some residents refuse to drink it
Orange County District 5 Commissioner Emily Bonilla, who represents the area, says she’s looking into another option of the county taking over jurisdiction of the utility from the state, but those talks are very preliminary.