Florida Rural Water Association
2970 Wellington Circle
Tallahassee FL 32309
850.668.2746
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The photo below includes three members of the FRWA delegation that visited Washington last week Robert Munro, FRWA National Director, Patricia Cichon FRWA Vice President (Monticello), and William Grubbs, FRWA Secretary/Treasurer (Tallahassee). The rest of the delegation included Tom Jackson, FRWA President (Punta Gorda), FRWA National Director (Orlando), FRWA Board Members, Bruce Morrison (Destin), Gary Williams, Executive Director (Tallahassee), and Tim Waddle, FRWA Member (Tallahassee).
When FRWA visited Washington last week they were there as your voice to the legislative leaders. They met personally with Congressional Representatives from your district and our state Senators voicing the needs of the small water and wastewater systems in Florida.
During the meetings the delegates discussed water utility issues such as:
* Disaster relief funding that includes money for infrastructure damaged by hurricanes and other disasters.
* General water utility infrastructure monies be included in any infrastructure packages to help meet the strong needs of systems in Florida was requested.
* The establishment of MCL for PFAS, citing the cost of the treatment/compliance that would have to be passed on the water utility customers.
For more details on the above issues, click
here.
Prior to going to Washington, FRWA contacted the offices of our representatives in Washington. Appointments were secured with the districts below:
| District |
Representative |
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1
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Congressman Matt Gaetz |
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2
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Congressman Neal Dunn |
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3
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Congressman Ted Yoho |
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4
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Congressman John Rutherford |
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6
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Congressman Michael Waltz |
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7
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Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy |
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8
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Congressman Bill Posey |
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9
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Congressman Darren Soto |
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10
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Congresswoman Val Demings |
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11
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Congressman Daniel Webster |
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12
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Congressman Gus Bilirakis |
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13
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Congressman Charlie Crist |
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14
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Congresswoman Kathy Castor |
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15
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Congressman Ross Spano |
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16
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Congressman Vern Buchanan |
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17
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Congressman Gregory Steube |
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18
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Congressman Brian Mast |
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19
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Congressman Francis Rooney |
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20
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Congressman Alcee Hastings |
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21
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Congresswoman Lois Frankel |
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22
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Congressman Theodore Deutch |
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23
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Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz |
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25
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Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart |
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26
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Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell |
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27
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Congresswoman Donna Shalala |
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Senator Rick Scott |
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Senator Marco Rubio |
FRWA will always be the small water and wastewater system's voice in Washington.
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Next week is the final week of the 2019 Focus on Change Sessions. Classes will be held on Monday in Punta Gorda and Tuesday in Pompano Beach. We have had almost 900 attendees at the first four sessions and have almost 500 signed up for next week's sessions. The DEP Water, Wastewater, and Operator Certification Sections will on hand to give us the latest in regulatory updates from their departments.
The DEP Plant Excellence Awards are awarded each year at the sessions held in their respective district. Click on the links below to see the DEP press releases of the winners.
There are still room for a few more attendees next week. If you have not already registered, there is still time to take advantage of one of the last chances of the renewal period to earn 0.6 CEUs. Click on the locations on the left to register now.
There is no charge for admittance for those not wishing to earn CEUs/PDHs, however you must pre-register as seating is limited. If you wish to receive CEUs/PDHs for the session a CEU/PDH processing fee will apply.
For more information, click
here.
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2018 was the 3rd-wettest year on record. Here's why EPA Water Sense The eastern U.S. got a ton of rain, while the west stayed dry. A warming climate probably contributed.
more
Was Hurricane Michael a Cat 5? Report due in April A reader asked whether Hurricane Michael has been declared a Cat. 5 storm. Through our Bay Asked, We Answered series, we took a look.
more
Study: Atlantic hurricanes are strengthening faster A startling study says that devastating storms that intensify rapidly are becoming more common.
more
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SFWMD executive director announces resignation in front of board that lacked quorum | TCPalm Because of recent resignations and a no-show, the South Florida Water Management District board couldn't muster a quorum Thursday and didn't conduct any business requiring a vote. more
PSJ seeks infrastructure funding | The Star With the city's infrastructure having been abused by Hurricane Michael, Port St. Joe commissioners are seeking aid in the form of grant dollars from multiple sources. more
Triumph establishes hurricane recovery fund | The Star During a special meeting last week the board of Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc. voted to earmark $15 million as a hurricane recovery fund. more
Lawmakers to consider keeping state utilities watchdog The leaders of the joint House-Senate committee that oversees the Office of Public Counsel plan a thorough review of the office's operations, including whether its chief should be subject to periodic reconfirmation. more
Flagler seeks $10 million to replace community's sewer plant The Flagler County Commission has asked the state for $10 million to replace an aging and deteriorating wastewater treatment plant in Plantation Bay. more
Leon County to request state funds for generators, water projects The Ledger With the Florida legislative session just three weeks away, Leon County is finalizing its session priorities and funding requests. more
Lead testing complete for all Polk County public schools WBBH Fort Myers Included are the results for Polk County Schools whose water has been cleared after lead testing and those schools nearing the end of retesting and those awaiting results. more
Following West Palm Beach drinking water from source to tap Florida Politics West Palm Beach has a unique drinking water system compared to other municipalities because the city uses surface water. more
Jacksonville committees to study resiliency infrastructure WPLG Pembroke Park Jacksonville City Council President Aaron Bowman announced Thursday the formation of committees to study infrastructure and resiliency. more
Making water from air is going mainstream in south Florida Despite our plentiful rainfall in South Florida, Mother Nature may be not a match for man. more
DEP's Noah Valenstein outlines goal to 'do more now' on environment | Florida Politics The state's top environmental regulator says the agency is looking to show Floridians more immediate impact of water quality projects throughout the state. more
Counties hard hit by Hurricane Michael can apply for BP oil spill recovery money | Tallahassee Democrat The Triumph Gulf Coast board of directors voted Friday to establish the Hurricane Michael Major Disaster Recovery Program. more
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This Week in Water History
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V
itrified clay pipe (15 inch diameter crushed by improper backfille conditions
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February 15, 1917:
Municipal Journa
l editorial. Sewer Pipe Failures. "There is probably no type of structure or kind of material that was not at some time figured in a more or less complete failure. In most cases such failure is due to carelessness or ignorance in the use of the material and not to the fault of the material as such. Concrete bridges have failed, so have steel and wooden ones; yet each properly used has given most satisfactory service in hundreds of cases to one in which it has failed. more
For more articles on what went on this week in water history, click
here.
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