July 2017


 Industry News
Deadline for Water Well Contractor License Renewal is July 31, 2017

The last day to submit CE credits and conversion payment towards your 2017 license renewal is July 31st.  These credits apply to the 2015-2017 CE renewal period so you can receive your license to practice from July 31, 2017 to July 31, 2019 biennial license cycle.

In addition, you must submit your license renewal payment and confirmation of your CE credits to your Water Management District by the July 31st deadline. 

You can check the status of your CE credits on the Florida Water Well Administrators Website HERE.

If you have any questions regarding your CE credits, please contact the FWWA at 844-359-9238. If you have questions regarding your license, please contact your respective Water Management District. 
LOCAL, FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES CALL TO 911 WHEN PIPELINE DAMAGED
Sunshine 811 provides tools to reduce likelihood of damages and max federal fines up to $2 million

Effective July 1, 2017, Florida excavators will be required to call 911 to report any contact with an underground facility that results in the release of a natural gas or other hazardous material or substance regulated by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA ) of the United States Department of Transportation.

The 911 provision was one of five specific amendments to the Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety Act, Chapter 556, Florida Statutes, signed into law by Gov. Scott June 14, 2017.

"You're still required to stop excavation or demolition activities that may further damage the underground facility until the repair is complete," explains Sunshine 811 Executive Director Mark Sweet. "It also does not change the existing requirement to notify member utilities immediately when you contact or damage a pipe, cable or its protective covering." Click here to continue reading.
Water Systems Council Around the States Reports - June
            
Regulation Reports                Legislation Reports 

FGWA News and Events
See You in Panama City Beach at the FGWA Quarterly Membership Meeting
2 FREE CE Credits Available


September 16, 2017 
Sheraton Bay Point Resort in Panama City Beach

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM - FGWA Membership Meeting
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM - Presentation on VFD... Selling Value & Protection by Dan Painter with Flint and Walling. This course will walk attendees through all the "on-board "diagnostics, protection and energy savings that VFD's have to offer, ultimately, increasing the life of the entire water system. Additionally, various programming options will be discussed for a variety of applications. Lastly, contractors will understand and be able to communicate the value & protection VFD's provide to their respective customer s due  to increased knowledge of this increasingly popular component of a water system. 

To make a hotel reservation, please call the Sheraton Bay Point Resort directly at 850-236-6000.  Don't forget to mention you are with FGWA to receive the discounted rate of $125.00. The hotel deadline is August 25, 2017.

FGWA Thanks You!!
The 2017 FGWA Annual Golf Tournament and additional donations raised $5,463.49 for Operation Helping Hand (OHH). We thank you for your support of this charity year after year. 

FGWA Directors will be attending an upcoming OHH Dinner in Tampa to present the donation. If you would like to attend, please email [email protected]. 

2017 Florida Ground Water Association Embroidered Apparel

FGWA now offers custom embroidered apparel for men and women in various colors and styles.  You can purchase your shirt today by clicking on the order now image. The code is FGWA2017. $5.00 of the cost of each shirt will go directly to FGWA's adopted charity, Operation Helping Hand. 
  • Orders will be ongoing throughout 2017.
  • Please allow 2 weeks for production.
  • All orders will be shipped via USPS and you will receive an email notification once your order has shipped.  Sales tax and shipping charges will be added at checkout.
  • Please ship your order to your home/office address and NOT to the FGWA office. 
 Top Stories
Trump administration moves to withdraw clean-water rule
            
The Trump administration moved Tuesday to roll back an Obama administration policy that protected more than half the nation's streams from pollution but drew attacks from farmers, fossil fuel companies and property-rights groups as federal overreach.

The 2015 regulation sought to settle a debate over which waterways are covered under the Clean Water Act, which has dragged on for years and remained murky despite two Supreme Court rulings. President Donald Trump issued an executive order in February instructing the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to rescind or revise the Obama rule, which environmentalists say is essential to protecting water for human consumption and wildlife.

Click here to read the full article.
One of FGWA's Legislator of the Year award winners will be named to one of the top elected jobs in state government, chief financial officer.
            
Florida Gov. Rick Scott is turning to a long-time political ally and former north Florida legislator to take over one of the top elected jobs in state government.

Scott on Monday will announce he's appointing Republican Jimmy Patronis to replace Jeff Atwater as chief financial officer. Atwater, who was first elected to the post in 2010, is resigning from the job before his term is over to become a vice president at Florida Atlantic University.
 
Click here to read the full article.
Stay Connected