Celebrating 20 years of Toho Water Authority

  • Toho Water Authority
    Toho Water Authority

Toho Water Authority (Toho) is celebrating 20 years of providing water, sewer and reclaimed water services to Osceola County. Over the years, Toho has been through an incredible evolution. Starting with less than 100 employees in its debut year, Toho has grown to over 600 employees, all driven by a shared commitment to ensure clean and accessible water for residents, Toho’s growth has been remarkable.

Toho was born on October 31, 2003, serving 42,000 customers, but the story really begins in 1985 with the City of Kissimmee Water and Sewer Department. The department worked out of the old City Hall and the City Central Services operating two water treatment plants, two wastewater plants and less than 40 lift stations.

Toho’s 20 Year Timeline Highlights

  • 2003: Toho was formed by a special act of the Florida Legislature and started with 42,000 customers. During its first week, Toho increases by 20-25% by purchasing the Florida Water Services utility operations.
  • 2004: Toho maintains water service for its customers during Central Florida’s worst hurricane season when Charley, Frances and Jean hit the area.
  • 2006: A stronger water conservation program is developed to address both drinking and reclaimed water use.
  • 2007: Toho begins ownership of Poinciana Utilities and becomes 80,000 customers.
  • 2009: Toho has 2,500+ miles of pipes and $1 billion in infrastructure.
  • 2010: Toho moves into its new administration building in Kissimmee.
  • 2011: Water Cooperative of Central Florida forms to  coordinate regional water supply planning efforts.
  • 2016: Automated meter reading (AMR) project is completed for the entire service area. The transition customers to Toho customer information system from KUA (Kissimmee Utility Authority) is completed.
  • 2018: Executive Director Brian Wheeler retires after 33 years of service and Toho Water Authority. Todd Swingle assumes the leadership role.
  • 2020: As the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the world, Toho continues to provide services and plan for the future.
  • 2022: St. Cloud united with Toho as well as the growing Sunbridge community. A new website was launched at tohowater.com. Hurricane Ian floods the area.
  • 2023: Toho facilities take away four Florida Water Environment Association (FWEA) Awards and a Gold Award from the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) as well the Utility Of The Future, Today award – six years in a row. New payment portal is launched to provide an improved customer experience. Mural is added to administration building. Toho proudly serves its approximately 160,000 customers, and the future is bright. 

To celebrate 20 years, Toho has adopted a special 20th anniversary logo! Also a tag line: Water. Community. Life. This logo will commemorate two decades of dedicated service, and reflect our ongoing mission to safeguard this precious resource. This design not only signifies our past achievements but also inspires a future of continued dedication to sustainable practices and the well-being of our communities. The tagline complements what Toho does every day as Toho keeps it Promise: Our Customers, Our Community Trust That Toho Cares.