October 8, 2021
Results from Supply Chain Survey
Thanks to those of you that participated in the NRWA Supply Chain Survey. There were 888 respondents from 23 states. The prize goes to Idaho (98) for the most responses followed by Oklahoma (79) and Missouri (76).

For more information about Supply Chain Resilience check out EPA’s site by clicking on the link below:

If you have specific information with regards to a system being in a dire situation in terms of supply or have specific information about a company’s inability to manufacture or transport chemicals, please do not hesitate to contact frwa@frwa.net.
Springs and AWS Funding Grant Opportunities
The District is pleased to announce the FY 2022/2023 Springs and AWS funding grant opportunities

SPRINGS - The District is accepting project proposals for state springs grants. Funds may be used for land acquisition or capital improvement projects that protect the quality and quantity of water that flows from springs
Eligible projects include but are not limited to:
  • Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs)
  • Water Conservation
  • Hydrologic Restoration
  • Land Acquisition
  • Reuse
  • Wastewater Collection and treatment
  • Stormwater
  • Other Water Quality
  • Other Water Quantity

This list is not intended to be exhaustive. Eligible projects, however, do not include feasibility studies or other types of analysis, data collection, or environmental review.

All new or previously submitted projects must be resubmitted to the District this funding cycle using our revised projects portal.

AWS – Alternative Water Supply 
The District is accepting project proposals for Alternative Water Supply. The Governor and Legislature recognize the importance of developing alternative water supplies for the growing economy and health of Florida's natural systems. The Department and the Districts will give special consideration to projects in the MFL Recovery or Prevention Strategies or District Regional Water Supply Plans or projects otherwise benefitting MFLs.
Eligible projects are:
  • Reclaimed Water
  • Water Conservation
  • Stormwater
  • Surface Water
  • Brackish Groundwater
  • Desalination
  • Other Non-Traditional Source
  • Other Water Quantity

Guidance Documents and new application forms will be available on our website beginning October 11, 2021: SRWMD Funding Initiatives

Applications must be submitted to the District by 5:00 pm on December 15, 2021. Projects will be evaluated and may be recommended for one or both programs.  Please ensure you review our SRWMD Springs Application Guidance Document and AWS Guidance Document. 

Please review our SRWMD-Springs-Application-Guidance  and the FDEP Springs Funding Guidance  for assistance in completing the application.

If you would like to submit an application this year, the final project proposals for FY22/23 grant opportunities should be submitted through the District’s online application no later than December 15, 2021. 

The District is committed to assisting its stakeholders in developing successful projects. Any questions regarding the program should be directed to Leroy Marshall at 386.362.1001 or 1.800.226.1066 (FL Toll Free) or via email at projects@srwmd.org. Please visit our website at www.mysuwanneeriver.com for upcoming information.
NATIONAL NEWS
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month Cyber incidents threaten the ability of water and wastewater utilities to provide reliable service and clean and safe water to customers. During National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, you are encouraged to take proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity and resilience at your utility. more

Biden Has Reversed 42 Trump-Era Environmental Actions, With Dozens More On The Radar It is not uncommon for new presidential administrations to reverse, revise, or undo much of their predecessors’ work. And ever since President Joe Biden took office, environmental policies established in the Donald Trump era have been targeted. more

House Delays Vote on $1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill In a Dear Colleague letter released on Friday evening, House speaker Nancy Pelosi said Democrats need more time to pass a $1 trillion infrastructure bill and a potential $3.5 trillion “Build Back Better” budget reconciliation bill. more

NRWA and EPA’s Plan to Rewrite the WOTUS Rule NRWA has been invited to participate in EPA’s intragovernmental consultation process for the new Administration’s plan to withdraw the previous Administration's WOTUS rule and replace it with a new rule likely to expand federal authority of waters of the U.S. more

STATE NEWS
Red tide confirmed at St. George Island in Franklin County | Tallahassee Democrat Water samples taken on St. George Island this week confirmed the presence of red tide after dozens of reports of fish kills and respiratory irritation, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. more

Vero Beach moving ahead with plans for new sewage plant in face of legal challenges | TCPalm The City Council will stick to its guns, not letting either Indian River Shores or Indian River County stand in the way of a new $51 million wastewater-treatment plant at the airport. more

County gets $37M for septic-to-sewer - | Apopka Chief Nearly $37 million in grant money from the state has been awarded to Orange County in order to complete the septic-to-sewer conversion for 14 neighborhoods in the Apopka area that are located near Wekiwa Springs State Park. more

Fort Lauderdale, your water may taste different for a few weeks | Local 10 Don’t be alarmed if you notice a slight change in the taste or smell of the tap water in Fort Lauderdale. more

Dunedin water plant damaged in Thursday morning fire | WTSP City leaders say the water treatment system is partially operational and able to deliver safe drinking water. more
This Week in Water History
Filtration of the Philadelphia Water Supply
October 1, 1896: Engineering News article. Filtration of the Philadelphia Water Supply. “A vigorous crusade against the further use of Schuylkill River water, without filtration, is being led by the Woman’s Health Protective Association of Philadelphia, and the subject is being actively discussed by the press of that city. All admit that the present supply is impure, and that the water from this river is blackened with coal dust or made yellow by mud at every high stage In the river, and that it is liable to contamination from six cities upon its banks above Philadelphia, whose aggregate population Is 350,000. An entirely new supply, from a distant source of permanent purity, is undoubtedly the most attractive solution to the difficult problem presented, and for years put extensive surveys and investigations have been made with that end in view. But the enormous cost of such an undertaking, coupled with the lack of available means in the City Treasury and the disinclination to permit a private company to control the water supply of Philadelphia, have so far prevented any of the many projects of this sort which have been brought forward from being carried out. more

To enjoy more opportunities to take a look at the past in water history, go to this link.
FLORIDA RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION | http://www.frwa.net
2970 Wellington Circle | Tallahassee FL 32309 | 850.668.8023 | Contact Us