The FGUA: Your Water Source

INDEPENDENCE DAY
All FGUA Customer Service Offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2009 to observe Independence Day.

FGUA SEEKING NEW MEMBERS FOR THE LEHIGH ACRES UTILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) is actively seeking applications to fill three (3) member positions on the Utility Advisory Committee (UAC) for the FGUA’s Lehigh Acres Utility System. The position is a volunteer role and will be filled by appointment by the board of the FGUA. Appointment to the UAC shall be made on the basis of experience or interest within the subject matter of the UAC jurisdiction. Prospective board members must complete an Appointed Board and Committee Application by July 2, 2009.

Please click on the following link to view the press release.

PASCO COUNTY SYSTEMS CUSTOMER SERVICE OPEN HOUSE
The Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) is announcing the FGUA Pasco County Systems Customer Service Open House scheduled for July 16, 2009. The event is open to the public.

Please click on the following link to view the press release.

PASCO MOISTURE CONSERVATION PROGRAM
(Holiday, New Port Richey and Trinity, FL) The Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) is announcing the Moisture Sensor Conservation Program. This program provides free equipment for Pasco Service area customers to monitor and reduce their lawn water consumption during the ongoing drought.

Please click on the following link to view the press release.

FGUA URGES LEHIGH ACRES CUSTOMERS TO OBSERVE NEW IRRIGATION GUIDELINES
Please click on the following link to view the irrigation guidelines.

FGUA MAKES WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS
As part of the overall effort to improve the quality and reliability of the water system and provide top-quality drinking water to its customers, the Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) will implement a new measure designed to help prevent lead and copper leaching from customer’s pipes into the water and to reduce pipe corrosion. The Pasco County Seven Springs Water System has used anti-corrosion measures in the past, but the methods and dosages have been modified to provide a significant improvement over the old system.

Please click on the following link to view the press release.

FGUA URGES PASCO CUSTOMERS TO OBSERVE EMERGENCY IRRIGATION GUIDELINES
Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) officials urge all customers in its Aloha Gardens and Seven Springs service areas to dramatically reduce water consumption, especially for outdoor irrigation.

This FGUA directive was prompted by recent announcements by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) regarding the new Additional Phase IV Water Restrictions for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Counties. Joining with SWFWMD, the FGUA allows outdoor irrigation with reclaimed (nonpotable) and potable water according to SWFWMD guidelines.

Please click on the following link to view the press release.

FGUA COMPLETES ALOHA UTILITY SYSTEM ACQUISITION
On February 27th, The Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) assumed ownership and management of the Aloha Utility System. Aloha is now the third system in the FGUA family of utility systems throughout Florida. The FGUA also operates a system in Lee County and Collier County and has operated as many as seven systems. Aloha customers will begin receiving their bills directly from the FGUA in March. Water and wastewater plant operations, meter reading, and customer service will be provided by the FGUA’s contract operator, US Water Services/Wade Trim. US Water Services/Wade Trim has extensive utility system operations and maintenance experience in Florida and throughout the country. Thanks to Wachovia Bank/Wells Fargo who provided the financing of this transaction.

There are several planned projects to address water quality concerns, customer service, and community involvement. FGUA Capital Improvement Plan includes a 2-year project to interconnect with the Pasco County water system, and involves the evaluation of the problematic wells, as well as additional treatment improvements. The FGUA has already contracted for preliminary engineering and system evaluation necessary to begin.

A Utility Advisory Committee (UAC), which consists of Aloha customers, will be initiated to provide customer feedback to the FGUA regarding customer service issues, major development projects, capital improvement plans, environmental issues, operational issues, and other subject matters associated with the activities of the FGUA in Aloha Gardens/Seven Springs. There will also be a FGUA customer ombudsman in the local office to monitor responsiveness, address customer concerns, and provide community outreach.

Please click on the following link to view the press release.

Lehigh Acres and Golden Gate Utility Systems Receive Grant
The Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) has been awarded a $17,500.00 Water Savings Incentive Program (WaterSIP) Grant from the South Florida Water Management District for Fiscal Year 2009. The FGUA will apply the grant to the Dead End Mains Automatic Flushing Program for Lehigh Acres and Golden Gate.

Automatic flushing devices are used on water mains that terminate in a dead end. Without the device, the utility flushes the main using the closest fire hydrant to the end of the water line. This practice consumes substantial time and flushing must occur a few times a month. The automatic flushing devices use substantially less water and staff time since they are programmed to flush a small amount of water each day to achieve the desired chlorine residual level. The flushing program ensures customers receive high quality drinking water.

The FGUA submitted the grant application in April, 2008. The South Florida Water Management District notified FGUA they were awarded the grant in a letter dated August 22, 2008. This is the second grant that SFWMD has awarded FGUA, the first grant was for construction of a capital improvement project in Golden Gate.

For more information about the Dead End Mains Automatic Flushing Program, please contact the FGUA Operations Office at 407-629-6900.

Download handy emergency preparedness tip sheets
Download our water disinfection reference sheet (adapted from materials by the Florida Department of Health)
Download a handy storm preparation checklist (we adapted this checklist from www.hurricane.com)
Make family preparations for the hurricane season! Download the comprehensive State of Florida Family Preparedness Guide for free from the Florida Department of Health’s website at www.doh.state.fl.us