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Rules aimed at Aloha stand in way of progress

It is tempting to keep Aloha Utilities squeezed in a vice.

Tempting, but unproductive.

Today, Pasco County commissioners should repeal the 2004 ordinance that allowed an ad hoc committee to devise treatment of the dark, smelly water coming from taps within Aloha's service area in southwest Pasco.

Enforcement of the ordinance is moot because Aloha developed an alternative treatment system acceptable to customers and to the state Public Service Commission, which also retains its authority to punish the utility if its planned improvements are delayed or unsuccessful.

The public distrust toward Aloha is understandable. Complaints about water quality went unresolved for a decade until the PSC considered a petition to disband part of the utility's service area and the county, with state Legislature's blessing, authorized a new treatment system to remove hydrogen sulfide from the utility's water.

Wayne Forehand, of the customer advocacy group Committee for Better Water Now, last week asked the commission to keep its ordinance on the books. Unfortunately, retaining the ordinance provides a convenient excuse upon which Aloha could seize.

Company president Steve Watford already promised a lawsuit challenging the county's authority to oversee the utility if the ordinance remained. Any legal tussle would put off implementing the new treatment system to improve the quality of water for customers. The result? Customers will have to tolerate discolored water and the accompanying rotten-egg smell even longer.

If the ordinance remained, the county could grant a variance to the utility since Aloha's preferred treatment - known as anion exchange - differs from the ordinance's more costly requirement to install forced aeration. Forehand, last week, asked the commission to approve the variance. It is a logical suggestion except the commission can't grant a variance if nobody applies and Aloha has said it will fight the county law rather than comply.

After initial objections, state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, conferred with Forehand and said they will acquiesce and ask the commission to rescind the ordinance today.

It is the prudent thing to do. Expediting better water for Aloha's customers should be everyone's priority, particularly the utility's once the ordinance is removed as a potential roadblock.

[Last modified June 27, 2006, 07:00:54]