Study panel urges that PSC be allowed to fine private water utilities for bad water quality

By Bruce Ritchie

A legislative study committee on Friday recommended a law change that would allow the Public Service Commission to fine private water utilities that provide poor water quality.

Complaints about utilities' rate hikes, poor water quality and bad customer service led the Legislature in 2012 to pass HB 1389, establishing the Study Committee on Investor-Owned Water & Wastewater Utility Systems.

About 3 percent of Florida residents are served by investor-owned water and wastewater utilities, according to the PSC. The utilities are spread throughout the state with Pasco, Polk, Alachua and Washington counties having the most.

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