For years, those living inside the gates of Plantation Bay have been in a no-man's land.

The developer of the community set up a water utility, but failed to maintain it.

Back in 2013, Flagler County and Bunnell partnered up and bought the system for $5.5. million, with the clear understanding much more would be needed to be spent to fix it.

And today, many residents said they're still dealing with smelly, discolored water.

It's something County Commissioner Nate McLaughlin has heard over and over again. “Currently we're under chlorinated injection, a process and we need to go to a reverse osmosis and we believe that will improve the situation and will modernize their delivery system.”

That type of switch is expensive and the county is currently looking at the possibility of grants or other financial help from the state.

The city of Bunnell was brought on board because it was easier for them to obtain favorable loans.

In turn, the city could potentially get thousands of additional utility customers.

Could Plantation Bay bring in much-needed revenue to the city of Bunnell? Possibly, but there's so much more that needs to be done with that water system before profits can eventually flow.

“There will be more debt that needs to be incurred to bring the plant up to snuff," said Larry Williams, the city manager for Bunnell. "Will that be $three million, $four million, $five million?”

That's money the city doesn't have right now, as it is in the middle of upgrading its own water system.

That's one of the reason why the city and county are looking at ways to end their agreement, with Flagler County becoming the sole owner/operator.

Commissioner McLaughlin is ok with that. “I see that we bring it in under one roof and that certainly will simplify the operating of it, yes.”

Williams said the goal all along for the city and the county has been the same. “We want to give people good, clean water, water that they don't have to complain about.”

Williams has told his city commission they hope to have everything worked out with the county within the next month.

He said the city wants three things:

  • City employees hired to run the Plantation Bay utility will have jobs with the county
  • The financial burden, including the debt would be transferred to the county
  • Should Bunnell need water from the county in the future, it would receive it at cost

The water has been tested and is safe for consumption. But many residents have opted for filtration systems or are going to the store for bottled water.