FRWA Emergency Response Training |
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Becky Cutshaw, Administrative Director
Yesterday, I had the honor of attending an Emergency Response class presented by Florida Rural Water at the FRWA Warehouse located in Cairo GA. I have been with the Association for a number of years and witnessed the sacrifices made by staff during emergency response from the office. The first time that I remember our staff going into an area affected by a hurricane, we were totally unprepared. Many ended up sleeping in their vehicles (if they were lucky), while others slept on the ground.
FRWA always learns from experience and since that time we have made enormous progress in our emergency response procedures. Today, we possess and maintain millions of dollars worth of equipment in a huge warehouse ready to be deployed at any time. We have partnered with other Rural Waters in providing emergency response services for not only Florida but wherever a need arises.
We are a pioneer in the creation of Water Tracker, an app that allows systems to enter their needs in case of an emergency. Alerts are then sent so that their needs can be met as soon as possible.
Yesterday’s class provided “hands on” demonstrations on how to hook up a by-pass pump, hook up a VFD and finally how a generator is connected onsite. I have always admired the efforts of our staff during emergency response, but this class gave me a greater appreciation of the sacrifices made and the expertise required to get a system back “up and running”.
I, for one, will never look at the field’s efforts the same again!
You can click on the photo below for some photos of the class and equipment stored in our warehouse.
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By now you should have received this year's FRWA Focus on Change agenda. The thirty-second annual “Focus on Change” Seminar is presented in conjunction with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). These sessions are designed to provide the most current regulatory information available to utilities. FRWA is pleased to announce that the DEP Water, Wastewater, and Operator Certification Sections will be participating.
You will notice that this year’s agenda includes several timely topics in the General Session and Breakout Sessions. You are encouraged to take the time to join us for what we anticipate to be an informative Training Seminar. FRWA will not be providing the presentations book this year in order to comply with the Department of Environmental Protection’s Paperless Initiative Act. You can however download the presentations from our website prior to the event if you wish to bring them with you or review.
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. Click on the selected sites above to register online. To pay by company check complete the registration form by clicking here. Please use a separate form for each site.
Click on the locations below to register. Be sure to sign in to receive the membership discount.
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NATIONAL NEWS
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Notice Regarding “Hard Copy” Submissions to EPA To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act and to limit the paperwork burden for EPA stakeholders, correspondence should be sent via email through our Contact Us information, to the greatest extent possible. more
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EPA Proposes To Add Environmental Justice, Climate Change, And PFAS To National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives The U.S. EPA recently announced it is seeking public comment on its proposal to address environmental justice, climate change, and PFAS contamination in its National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives. more
PFAS ban proposals expected February 7 - Cooling Post Full details of the PFAS restrictions proposed by five European countries, which could include bans on some lower GWP HFC/HFO refrigerants, will be published on February 7. more
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EPA Announces Plans for Wastewater Regulations and Studies, Including Limits for PFAS ... Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 15 (Plan 15), which lays out how the Agency will work to protect the nation’s waterways by following the science and the Clean Water Act to develop technology-based pollution limits and studies on wastewater discharges from industrial sources. more
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DoD Releases Revised Military Spec for PFAS-Free Firefighting Foam On January 12, the Defense Department (DoD) released the revised military specification that covers the use of fluorine-free (PFAS) fire fighting foam on hydrocarbon liquid fuel fires in land-based applications, as mandated by the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). more
STATE NEWS
DEP: Progress being made on surface water discharge, reuse - Florida Politics Implementation of 2021’s SB 64 is an effort in progress, but Michael Lynch, Director of Water Resource Management for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), wouldn’t give the work a grade as of yet. more
Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority to begin resilience upgrades | WaterWorld The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA) is implementing major upgrades to help make its drinking water distribution more resilient against climate change. more
Senators Back Environmental Money for Keys | South Dade News Leader NSF - A Senate committee Tuesday backed a proposal that would earmark up to $20 million a year for environmental projects in the Florida Keys, a week after Gov. Ron DeSantis included protection of Florida’s coral reefs as part of his second-term environmental plan. more
Wildwood officials take action as home building pushes sewer plant to its limit | Villages News Wildwood officials are clearing the way to upgrade the city’s 40-year-old sewage treatment plant and build a new plant next to it. more
Bay County tests alternative water treatment product - WJHG With recent supply chain shortages, Bay County is working to get ahead of the game and prevent any issues that could impact the area’s drinking water. more
Sanford leaders consider plan to improve sewer infrastructure after flooding | WESH On Monday night, city leaders are expected to approve money to cover the design work needed to make necessary improvements that will target vulnerable areas in the historic downtown. more
*COVID surge on the wane in Florida: Here's why It seems the worst of the current COVID-19 wave is ending across Florida. more
Executive order boosts community comprehensive planning, wastewater management | Hernando Sun Local governments will get help building environmental protections into their long-term comprehensive growth plans under an Executive Order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this month more
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This Week in Water History |
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January 27, 1916: Municipal Journal article. Water Origin of Typhoid Epidemic. "Lake Charles, La.-Dr. Oscar Dowling, president of the State Board of Health, has been investigating the typhoid epidemic situation here, and has sent Louis Alberta, inspector of the board, to examine the markets, slaughter pens, and all places handling fresh meats, and J. H. O'Neil, sanitary engineer, to make a further survey of the water supply. Up to date there have been reported 153 cases of typhoid fever in Lake Charles and 15 in West Lake, which is practically a suburb, making a total of 168. There are sick at present in both places 90. There have been 12 deaths, 3 of these in West Lake. Investigation has been made and the case history taken of 138 patients. 'Evidence as to the cause of the infection points to the water,' says Dr. Dowling. 'During September and October a number of specimens from the city supply were examined in our laboratories. After repeated analyses, permits to the railroads to use the city water were issued. The city supply is obtained from artesian wells, but in case of fire water from the river is added. This can be made safe by proper treatment and the equipment necessary was installed by the company after condemnation of the water by our board. From lack of supervision the treatment process evidently was not properly carried out.'"
Commentary: That is an understatement. Clearly, the treatment of surface water put into the system to fight a fire was not properly done and people died.
Reference: "Water Origin of Typhoid Epidemic." 1916. Municipal Journal. 40:4(January 27, 1916): 111.
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2970 Wellington Circle | Tallahassee FL 32309 | 850.668.2746 | Contact Us
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