FRWA eNews
August 26, 2016
Contact Us
Florida Rural Water Association
2970 Wellington Circle
Tallahassee FL 32309
850.668.2746
www.frwa.net
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Wastewater Services
Groundwater Services
Emergency Response

With a tropical storm projected to hit the state in the next few days FRWA would like to remind you that we are here to offer assistance.  You may email us at frwa@frwa.net or call 800.872.8207 for assistance.

South Florida Water Management District Prepares For Heavy Rainfall While potential impacts to South Florida are unclear, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is getting the regional flood control system ready for potential heavy rainfall  more

Hurricane Preparedness  Update your Emergency Response Plan Today! With the threat of a tropical storm looming now is the time to take out your Emergency Response Plan (ERP), dust it off, and see if you're really ready. Your ERP could be out of date. 
* Do you remember your preparedness and response procedures?
* Has staff, management, or system officials changed?
* Has your plan been coordinated and shared with your County Emergency Management Office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement Regional Security Task Force?  more
Flood Preparedness
Guidelines for Flood Preparedness To be effective, flood preparation must include developing written procedures that include standard checklists. Reviewing these checklists prior to a threatening event can reduce utility damages and ensure higher levels of operating reliability. more 
 
Best Management Practices for Flood Preparation and Response Since hurricane flood surge strength is generally not predictable to a specific location and that flash floods give no warning of their intensity, new provisions are suggested to protect utility facilities that have not been used in the past. 
 
Standard Operating Procedures for Flood Preparation and Response  Flood planning requires the utility to prioritize areas with the greatest likelihood to cause critical problems is left unattended. more 
National News
Groundwater Declines Seen, Even in Wet Climates: Studies Water availability in the U.S. characterized by four years of drought in the West and more rainfall in the East reflects the nation's geographic extremes from deserts and mountains to low-lying almost tropical swamplands. more

September is National Preparedness Month September is National Preparedness Month and this year the theme is "Don't Wait, Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today". USEPA is highlighting several steps that utilities and communities can take during this month to prepare for an emergency that may impact water services.   more

Hot off the press: Hazard Mitigation for Natural Disasters This interactive, user-friendly guide tells utilities how to mitigate natural disasters and their impacts, including floods, earthquakes, droughts, wildfires, tornados and power outages.  more

Emergency Response Tools in the palm of your hand EPA app for water utility response in times of disaster.  more

Does your community have an emergency drinking water supply plan? Large-scale disasters can cause significant disruptions to water services. This resource helps drinking water and wastewater utilities develop an emergency water supply plan.  more

EPA Considering Change in Chloramine Rules The U.S. EPA is considering a change in its chloramine regulations amid intense debate in some cities over the safety of this common water-treatment chemical.  more
State News
Drinking Water System
Maintenance Recommendations
FRWA recommends Regular Water System Preventive Maintenance -- aimed at the prevention of breakdowns and failures. Some tasks should occur weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually.

Below are the recommendations for August. This week we will focus on "Clean and Inspect ALL Safety Equipment ".  With a potential tropical storm looming you will want to have all of your safety equipment working properly.  Don't wait to clean and inspect it before the storm hits.
 
August Water System Maintenance Recommendations (Non-Peak Month)
  • Prepare Water System for Summer Operation / Hurricane Season (Fuel, Generators, Shutters)
  • Perform Building Preventive Maintenance
  • Operate ALL Valves Inside Treatment Plant & Pump House 
  • Clean & Inspect ALL Safety Equipment
  • Flush Dead-End Lines (Feb, May, Aug & Nov) Required by FDEP Rule 62-555.350(2) or more often
Wastewater System
Maintenance Recommendations
FRWA recommends Regular Wastewater System Preventive Maintenance -- aimed at the prevention of breakdowns and failures. Some tasks should occur weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually.
 
We will focus on a different recommendation each week.  This week we recommend that you clean and inspect your aeration equipment.  Seventy percent of all electrical usages occurs in the aeration basin for a treatment plant's electrical bill. Look for dead spots within aeration tank and repair or replace diffuser(s) in question. With diffused aeration being the most common in Florida, clogged or dirty air filters is the leading cause for poor performance.

August Wastewater System Maintenance Recommendations
  • Review and Update Emergency Response Plan, to download a simplified copy, click here.
  • Contact Electrician to Check Emergency Generator & Run on Load Bank
  • Contact Electrician to Check Running Amps on Pumps
  • Inspect Air release valves for proper operation. 
  • Clean, inspect aeration equipment. 
  • Test eye wash and safety shower
  • Inspect fire extinguishers
Florida Rural Water Association |  frwa@frwa.net | http://www.frwa.net
2970 Wellington Circle
Tallahassee FL 32309
850.668.2746   
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