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FRWA eNews
October 31 , 2019
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FDEP
Rule 62-640, F.A.C. Update
Water quality and the improvement of water resources in Florida are a key priority for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. As such, the Department is proposing amendments to Ch. 62-640, F.A.C. The rule represents the Departments commitment to science-based processes, by recommending changes to biosolids regulations to minizine the migration of nutrients, specifically phosphorus, to prevent impairment to waterbodies.

Biosolid Technical Advisory Committee
In 2018, the Department created a Biosolids Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to evaluate current management practices and explore opportunities to better protect Florida's water resources. The TAC members represent stakeholders from all arenas including environmental and agricultural industry experts, large and small utilities, waste haulers, consultants and academics.
The TAC convened on four occasions from September 2018 to January 2019 and discussed the following:
  • What are the current options for biosolids management in the state?
  • Are there better ways to manage biosolids to improve the protection of our water resources?
  • What research is needed to improve biosolid management?
The meetings included presentations related to biosolid management and regulations, water quality, innovative technologies and research. Each public meeting included open public comment, as well as discussion among the TAC members, the audience and the Department.   more
National News
WaterPro 2019: Sam Wade Reflects on 40 Years in Water Sam Wade, CEO of the National Rural Water Association, reflects on the early days of his long and prosperous career in water. Also discussed: major changes to the industry over the past 40 years; NRWA's role; workforce development. more

New Hampshire Rural Water's Board Member Joins Suit Against State
Over New PFAS Regulations (news).ironmental Services (NHDES) for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water, they set a disturbing precedent for future rulemaking in New Hampshire ...more

New Federal Government Study Finds Fluoride Can Harm Developing Nervous Systems  The NTP's Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) conducted a systematic review to evaluate the evidence that exposure to fluoride is associated with neurodevelopmental or cognitive effects.  more

House and Senate Members Announce New Legislation to Assist People Struggling with Rising Water Bills  See Senators Cardin (MD) and Wicker's (MS) October 23, 2019 announcement regarding the "Low-Income Water Customer Assistance Programs Act of 2019 (S.2687),"  more

South Dakota Rural Water's Jeremiah Corbin Counters the Environmental Working Group's Latest Report State testing data show that several contaminants - all of which can be harmful to human health - are commonly found in the drinking water provided to residents of South Dakota, but whether the contaminants are present at unhealthful levels is a matter of ongoing debate.  more

NRWA Participated in EPA's October 25, 2019, Intergovernmental Associations' Regulatory Briefing for the Revised Lead and Copper Rule  Takes a proactive and holistic approach to improving the current rule-from testing to treatment to telling the public about the levels and risks of lead in drinking water. more

House Committee to Mark Up Massive Reauthorization of Clean Water SRF (CWSRF), Looks for NRWA's Support   Next week, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee plans to markup H.R. 1497, the Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act (Clean Water SRF).  more

EPA awards La. Department of Health over $1 million for Safe Drinking Water Programs  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a grant to the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) for $1,042,627 for safe drinking water programs.  more

EPA chief espouses benefits of agency's environmental deregulation  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chief Andrew Wheeler took to the microphone Tuesday to espouse the benefits of deregulation.  more

EPA still plans to introduce PFAS limits for drinking water by year-end  Federal officials said during a visit to Michigan today that they are on track to meet a year-end deadline to propose regulatory standards for PFAS in drinking water.  more
State News
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Announces First Three Regional Public Workshops for Mitigation Funds Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced the first three regional public workshops to seek input for the use of more than $633 million in first-of-its-kind funding for disaster mitigation projects... more

FDEP Impaired Waters Rule Notifications Update The Watershed Assessment Section has posted the IWR Run 58 database to the department's ftp site and it is available for download...  more

City aiming for money to overhaul aging water, sewer systems | Panama City News Herald  City leaders want state and federal money to overhaul Panama City's aging water and sewer systems and plan to compile comprehensive infrastructure reports to get it.  more

Opinion: ANN SHORTELLE: Water Less: Save water, sustain our water supply | Daytona Beach News-Journal  The St. Johns River Water Management District has launched a new year long "Water Less" campaign... more

Florida to use $633 million federal 'disaster mitigation' grant for resilience planning  A new $6.875 billion federal grant program is banking that dedicating money upfront for "resiliency planning" will be a better "disaster mitigation" investment than spending billions on response and recovery.  more

Florida DEP gives St. Lucie $2.3 million to clean St. Lucie River St. Lucie County will receive $2.3 million in state grants for three environmental projects to improve water quality in the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon.  more

Leon County launches water resource website  Leon County's new water resource website debuted at the October 15th Board of County Commissioners meeting.  more

Charlotte County has costly mandatory septic system switch Hundreds of home owners in Charlotte County have to switch from septic to the county sewer system, and they don't have a choice.  more

'Water Less' is a year-long water conservation campaign theme for SJRWMD  Smart water use helps manage your investment in your home, your family and Florida's future.  more

Jennifer Webb files three Gulf Beaches infrastructure spending bills | Florida Politics  Rep. Jennifer Webb filed a trio of bills this week aimed at improving infrastructure on St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island.  more

Flagler Beach raises utility rates 12.5% | Daytona Beach News-Journal The base rate for water and sewer service is going up again in Flagler Beach after city commissioners approved a 12.5% increase.  more

Q&A: Kevin Lynskey, director of the Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer System  "I have become the water and sewer system," said Kevin Lynskey. "Apparently, I am the water and sewer system."  more

Flushing do's and don'ts: St. Augustine opens wastewater plant to the public | Action News Jax   The nation's oldest city wants you to know the facts about what you flush down the toilet.  more

Century Approves $28K Parts Purchase To Fix Sewage Plant, Restore Capacity | North Escambia  Century has approved the purchase of over $28,000 in parts to repair a broken process that diminished the capacity of the town's wastewater treatment facility by one-third.  more
This Week in Water History
Patent issued on ductile iron pipe
October 25, 1949: Patent issued on Ductile Iron pipe. On this day, patent Number 2,485,761 was issued to Mr. K. D. Millis and others of the International Nickel Company, for "Gray Cast Iron having Improved Properties." It has since become known as ductile iron. Gray iron becomes ductile iron through the inoculation of the molten mix with magnesium, changing the graphitic carbon from random flake forms into a more geometrically arrayed and spherical form. The new matrix provides greater yield strength, ultimate strength, and elongation properties.

Cast iron pipe producers had raced International Nickel to the patent office, but International Nickel got there first. Cast iron pipe producers soon began the commercial production of ductile iron pipe, which has supplanted cast iron due to its greater strength and toughness. Cast iron and ductile iron pipes form the backbone of America's drinking water distribution systems.

For more articles on what went on this week in water history, click here
Florida Rural Water Association |   frwa@frwa.net | http://www.frwa.net
2970 Wellington Circle
Tallahassee FL 32309
850.668.2746