ARCADIS, as the consulting engineer to the Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA), a special district local government formed via interlocal agreement between counties and its predecessors, provided key services associated with the successful evaluation and purchase of six water and wastewater utility systems owned by Florida Cities Water Company, Inc. (FCWC), a private water, wastewater and gas utility wholly owned by Avatar Holdings, Inc. The purchase, at more than $240 million, is reported to be the single largest acquisition of private utilities by a public entity in Florida history.

Deliverables from ARCADIS work were prepared for each of the six water and wastewater utility systems including a total of 20 treatment plants and associated service area facilities (pipelines, pump stations, storage tanks and appurtenances).

The deliverables included bond feasibility reports, Phase I environmental site assessment reports and final engineering due diligence reports. ARCADIS also supported the purchase by consulting with the affected parties on operations, customer service, billing and capacity agreements and assisting in purchase price negotiations between FGUA and FCWC.

ARCADIS is continuing to work with FGUA as one of the engineering firms consulting on operations issues and assisting with the implementation of the capital improvement program.