HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A Brandon couple is turning to 8 On Your Side after not having a consistent water supply to their home for months.
One day they have water, and the next day they can't even shower. The Renyolds said there are ongoing repair problems with the pump that need to be fixed once and for all.
When Shelba and Ronald Reynolds turn on the faucet, they never know if they'll have running water.
"They got it back on just for a few minutes, and then it started down to a trickle again, so they're working on it, but they've been working on it for months, and they haven't gotten it fixed,” said Shelba Reynolds, Mount Carmel Ridge resident.
Shelba Reynolds said her Mount Carmel Ridge neighborhood has seen water supply issues since the summer when management replaced a water tank to improve the system. The 55-plus community runs off a well.
"It's just inconvenient,” Ronald Reynolds said.
"We just don't shower for two or three days at a time,” Shelba Reynolds said.
After the back-to-back hurricanes, Bedrock Communities said the well was offline for six days until power was restored. Since then, Bedrock said its residents have experienced low water pressure, water service is occasionally turned off until repairs are completed, and there is an electrical issue.
Through it all, residents have been under constant boil water notices.
"It's a necessity, yeah,” Shelba Reynolds said.
The Reynolds are frustrated, especially as rent increases without this necessity.
“Two years ago, the rent was $445,” Shelba said. "Today it's $700,
Bedrock said they have provided all residents with a $200 credit on their November rent.
In addition, Executive Vice President Rhonda Stroud shared this statement:
Water is an essential service and restoring it promptly during any outage is our top priority. We have contracted with another company to replace the current above-ground turbine pump motor with a submersible pump motor, which is expected to provide a more reliable system and prevent future issues.
Bedrock Communities tells 8 On Your Side service has been restored, but the Reynolds say otherwise.
"They need to get it fixed once and for all,” Shelba Reynolds said.
Bedrock said it prioritizes regular communication and have a supply of water for all residents available in the clubhouse.
Hillsborough County Code Enforcement said it received a complaint about this issue, and they will investigate. A county spokesperson said citations and fines may be issued if violations are deemed appropriate.