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Meeting On Rate Increases Set For Thursday

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By Christian Wade, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 5, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - Colonial Manor Utilities wants to increase rates for more than 1,800 drinking-water customers in west Pasco County, saying the revenue is needed to cover costs for a new filtration system on its nitrate-contaminated wells.

State regulators want to know what the utility's customers think about the proposed increases.

On Thursday night, officials from the Florida Public Service Commission and the Office of Public Counsel will hold a town hall meeting in New Port Richey to discuss the proposed rates and complaints about service and billing procedures.

State regulators have been closely monitoring Colonial Manor, which serves about 700 households in the New Port Richey and Holiday areas. The oversight began in August 2005 when nitrate contamination forced the utility to close two of its five wells.

Last month, Colonial Manor signed a consent decree with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection requiring the utility to come up with a plan to install a new filtration system within 90 days and test for bacteria monthly.

Gary Deremer, president of U.S. Water Service Corp., which owns Colonial Manor, said his company plans to use a process known as anion exchange to resolve nitrate contamination on its five wells, two of which remain out of service.

Customers are being asked to pick up the tab for the water quality improvements. U.S. Water has applied to the state Public Service Commission for a rate increase at Colonial Manor, which if approved could more than double customers' bills.

The meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday in the county commission chambers at the West Pasco Government Center on Little Road in New Port Richey.

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