Commissioners press US Water, seek answers on aging Sunny Hills system and $750,000 sewer funding

Washington County commissioners pressed county staff on May 25 over persistent water-quality and infrastructure problems in the Sunny Hills private water system and sought clarity on how recently announced grant funds might be used.

The discussion, which occupied much of the workshop, was initiated by Commissioner Miss Marquez, who said residents had raised numerous quality concerns and that the county needed to tell residents where to file complaints so they are documented. “I just want to circle back on the water situation in Sunny Hills … the residents are looking at us to be their voice,” Marquez said, and asked whether complaints should go to the Public Service Commission or the health department and whether the $750,000 announced recently by Neil Dunn could be applied to the problems.

Why it matters: Sunny Hills is served by a private utility, US Water, and county officials said the system’s age and scale pose a major financing and maintenance challenge. County staff summarized that roughly 75 miles of water lines were installed by the original developer (Deltona) and that parts of the system are more than 50 years old, creating significant renovation needs that would cost millions and are difficult to address because private systems do not qualify easily for municipal grants.

County staff and commissioners described the stakes for local growth: limited sewer and water capacity prevents commercial hookups and higher-density housing. One official said sewer extension to Highway 77 and the Elcam/Alcam Boulevard corner was a priority to enable grocers and other commercial tenants; staff noted a franchise agreement with Deltona exists in county records and asked for time to review its terms.

What was said and next steps: - Commissioner Miss Marquez asked the board to document resident complaints and to require US Water representatives to appear for an in-person Q&A at the next meeting. “If they’re coming to the meeting next week, then I mean, they better be ready to answer some tough questions because the quality of water that they’re providing … we’re going to get some answers,” she said. - County staff summarized system scale and condition (about 75 miles of lines and a system more than 50 years old) and said private ownership and regulatory constraints complicate quick fixes; they said upgrades would cost “millions” and that the private operator’s ability to raise rates is governed by the Public Service Commission. - Commissioners asked staff to research historical franchise agreements, BMAP-related protections/funding and other legal or funding levers and return with findings. Staff agreed to research the county files and report back.

The board did not adopt any ordinance or transfer funds for Sunny Hills at the workshop. Commissioners agreed to invite US Water to the next meeting, to collect and document resident complaints in advance, and to have staff research the franchise agreement and potential funding tools before further action is taken.

The discussion closed with staff and commissioners reiterating that the county’s direct regulatory authority is limited for privately owned utilities, but that the county can press for transparency, document complaints, and pursue grant- or franchise-based options. The board moved on to other agenda items and recessed for a short break before convening an emergency meeting on a separate matter.