STATE OF FLORIDA - Public Service Commission

ORDER NO. PSC-12-0102-FOF-WS
DOCKETNO. 100330-WS
PAGE 38
Sebring Lakes, Rosalie Oaks, Tangerine, Tomoka View, and Zephyr Shores. The scope and
results of this aesthetic water quality improvement initiative are set forth in detail in AUF’s Final
Phase II Quality of Service Monitoring Report dated February 28,2011 vinal Report). Witness
Luitweiler testi6ed that aesthetic water quality improvements have been completed at the Rosalie
Oaks (flushing hydrants and blowof&), Zephyr Shores (flushing hydrants, blowoffs, and
installation of sequestration treatment), Tangerine (pipe replacement and looping, and
installation of sequestration treatment) aud Tomoka View (chloramixdon) systems. Work on
pemiUhg and installation of A w e
treatment to remove hydrogen sulfide is currently ongoing
at Leisure Lakes, Lake Josephine, and Sebring Lakes. Additionally, Lake Josephine and Sebring
Lakes were intexwmected in 2010 to improve supply, pressure, and flushing. Improved
distribution system monitoring and flushing were also implemented. Witness Luitweiler stated
that by trackhg AUF’s water quality complaints, he saw convincing evidence that the water
quality bas improved. He firher believe that where AUF has made treatment and flushing
protocol changes, substantial and demodle improvements in water quality have been
achieved.
According to Witness Luitweiler, AUF intends to continue to address aesthetic water
quality issues beyond the seven systems discussed above. In selecting the systems to be included
in the first phase of aesthetic water quality improvements, priority was given to systems with
SMCL exceedences for taste. and odor (due mainly to hydrogen suEde, iron, and mauganese).
Priority was also given to systems that could have issues with primary drinking water standards.
While work on some of the projects in the first phase continues, witness Luitweiler announced
that AUF is developing the next tier of systems to be included in the second phase of the
aesthetic improvement project The Arredondo Farms, Hermit’s Cove, River Grove, and
Arredondo Estates water systems have been selected for this second phase.
Witness Luitweiler pointed out that Arredondo Farms had no SMCL exceedences and no
issues related to Primary standards. Thus, it was placed in the second tier of systems to be
considered for aesthetic improvements. The witness contended that the quality of AUF’s product
at the Arredondo Farms water system is good, as is the operational condition of that system.
Furthermore, witness Luitweiler stated that AUF has made, and continues to make, concerted
attempts to address customer satisfixtion at the Arredondo Farms system. Witness Luitweiler
admitted that Arredondo Farms’ water is hard, but not exceptionally bard for Florida He argued
that we have consistently recognized that it is not unusual for Florida water utilities to experience
water hardness issues, and we have not taken punitive actions against utilities that do. The
witness noted that in the 1996 rate case involving Arredondo Farms (which was then owned by
Arredondo Utility Corporation), we found, in Order No. PSC-96-0728-FOF-WS,” that while the
water at the system was hard, it did not present a health hazard. We went on to conclude that the
treated water provided by Arredondo Utility met or exceeded all requirements for safe drinking
water and that the utility had satisfactory water quality. We also wamed in that Order that a
system-level solution to the hard water issue at Arredondo Farms would not be cost-effective or
prudent, and that the cost to make such improvements would be passed on to the customers
” Issued May 30,1996, in Docket No. 95 l234-WS, In re: Amlicatim of Arredondo Utilitv Conro ration. Jnc.. for a
staff-arsisted rate case m Alachua County, p. 3.