Lake residents told board Aqua’s water is "utterly disgusting" during recount of State Corporation Commission hearing

During the meeting’s second public‑comment period, a resident who attended a long State Corporation Commission (SEC) proceeding described testimony from a bus of lake area residents who complained about poor water quality and a slow utility response. "The water meets state standards, but if you were to go out in your backyard and you had [a] muddy hole and you scooped a bucket out, that's exactly what their water will show up like," the commenter said.

The commenter summarized the SEC case: SEC staff and Aqua reached a partial settlement that removed about one‑third of Aqua’s proposed cost increases. The hearing officer must still determine the final revenue allowance; options in the record ranged from no increase to Aqua’s requested 10.7%. The commenter urged continued local advocacy and coordination with county staff to press the utility on water quality and legislative remedies.

Board members thanked the commenter for his work and for representing lake residents at the hearing; staff and local supervisors said they would continue to monitor the regulatory process and legislative avenues.