Aloha means goodbye — to black water

Customers of the former Aloha Utilities soon could be flush with excitement.

The Florida Governmental Utility Authority, which bought Aloha in February 2009, is set to turn on the spigot to new water filtration equipment today.

Authority leaders think the additions at the Mitchell Ranch Road treatment facility could once and for all banish the black water problems that tarnished Aloha's reputation.

"That's great news," said state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey.

Complaints about Aloha water began pouring into Fasano's office shortly after he became a state lawmaker in 1994.

Fasano often led crusading customers who agitated Aloha executives to clean up the water at the privately owned utility. Bitter customers packed public hearings and waved signs at protests; many brought samples of dirty water from their faucets.

"It's a long time coming," Fasano said. "This is something the people have paid for through their bills."

The 2009 buyout of Aloha cost $90.5 million, and the improvements cost millions of dollars, said Matthew Rihs, a spokesman for the utility authority.

"The FGUA is completing its two and a half year effort to improve water quality and service for Seven Springs System customers in New Port Richey and Trinity," Rihs said in a written statement. "The improvements will remove the hydrogen sulfide, the cause of black water and odors, as well as provide filtration to improve water quality."

The transition to the new filtration equipment might cause customers to experience discoloration, odors or cloudiness in the water, Rihs said. There also may be water pressure fluctuations caused by a change in water flow direction because of new interconnections with Pasco County. Flushing of the system may occur for seven to 10 days.

The utility authority also will switch from chlorine treatment to chloramines. Customers have been advised to take precautions if they receive kidney dialysis treatment.

Tropical fish owners should take steps to remove the chloramines.

People with concerns or questions should contact the utility authority's Pasco customer service office at (727) 372-0115 or mrihs@govmserv.com.