About Evans Utility Company, Inc.

The accessibility and availability of water, as well as its quality and quantity, will continue to play a critical role in our ability to successfully run our agricultural operations.

As our society moves towards a greater appreciation of the significance of water as a precious and finite natural resource, Evans believes there will be value in services related to water and wants to be properly positioned as that shift occurs.

With the creation of a water utility, Evans will be better positioned to offer a variety of water related services, from water storage and retention, to aquifer-recharge activities and storm water treatment, to the sale of water for consumption. A utility will provide greater flexibility to manage our land and respond more rapidly to changing circumstances.

Years of experience in agriculture has taught Evans to always be on the look out for the next “crop”. As a landowner with properties throughout Florida, Evans views its creation of a water utility as another tool in our efforts to be good stewards of the land while helping to ensure the long-term economic health and well-being of our company.

Evans Properties has formed a subsidiary, Evans Utilities Company, Inc. and has submitted applications with the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) for utility certification for properties located in Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee, Pasco and Hernando counties. Having an in-place utility will put Evans at the forefront, since it will both facilitate contractual relations with other utilities and provide more favorable costs to them.

In the citrus business, irrigation and water retention are vital components to a successful grove. Since water is becoming an increasingly important resource, state and federal governments are in the early stages of formulating rules that mandate water conservation and water quality. It is anticipated that it may be feasible for agricultural landowners to use their lands for water attenuation and storage as well as water polishing, i.e. cleaning the water.

These would be in addition to currently existing water utility services (such as potable water, irrigation and wastewater services). We’re anticipating that forthcoming rules for all aspects of water "projects" will create a market for these services, and therefore a method through which a landowner can be paid for providing water services.