About eight months after it bought troubled Aloha Utilities, the Florida Governmental Utility Authority is negotiating the purchase of a half-dozen small water companies in western Pasco County. ...more

October 21, 2009

The days are now officially numbered for the smelly, black water flowing from taps in the Seven Springs and Aloha Gardens communities. ...more

February 20, 2009

The days are now officially numbered for the smelly, black water flowing from taps in the Seven Springs and Aloha Gardens communities. ...more

February 19, 2009

For some people in southwestern Pasco County, the turmoil roiling the world's credit market is forcing them to put their hopes for an end to a long-running problem on hold. Many customers of the privately run Aloha Utilities were pleased when the state-chartered Florida Governmental Utility Authority brokered a deal under which Aloha would, in effect, be absorbed into Pasco County Utilities. For years customers complained - to the county, the Florida Public Service Commission and pretty much anyone who would listen - about the discolored and smelly "black" drinking water that comes out of their taps. They are confident that the county will fix the problem once it gains operational control over the Aloha system via the FGUA purchase. ...more

December 17, 2008

The public purchase of privately owned Aloha Utilities has been put off until the end of February to help the Florida Governmental Utility Authority secure financing for the deal. ...more

December 13, 2008

The public purchase of privately owned Aloha Utilities has been put off until the end of February to help the Florida Governmental Utility Authority secure financing for the deal. ...more

December 12, 2008

Customers of Aloha Utilities Inc. could see some relief in the coming months from the smelly, black water that has fouled their sinks and stained their bathtubs. ...more

October 8, 2008

water that has fouled their sinks and stained their bath tubs. Pasco County commissioners Tuesday approved the sale of Aloha – a private water supplier whose customers say its water and customer service both stink – to the Florida Government Utility Authority, a public group created to buy private utilities across the state. "This was a banner day," said Commissioner Ann Hildebrand, who represents southwest Pasco. Aloha has about 20,000 customers in the Seven Springs and Aloha Gardens sections of Hildebrand's district. Under the deal now pending with Aloha, FGUA will spend $90.5 million to buy the company – a $45 million reduction from Aloha's original asking price. The sale will become final Dec. 17. New rates will take effect the same day, said FGUA attorney Brian Armstrong. ...more

October 7, 2008