FRWA in Emergency Response Mode |
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In anticipation of Hurricane Ian, emergency prep began on Tuesday in both the FRWA Cairo and Gainesville Warehouses. Generators, equipment, and supplies were loaded in anticipation of the trip south. Employees were busy on Wednesday contacting systems to assure them of assistance in the storm's wake and make sure that their system contact information was current in Water Tracker.
Ian roared across central Florida Wednesday night and traveled north. The storm left many without power which is devastating for water systems. Thursday morning, FRWA went into post hurricane mode. First, we contacted our employees in the path of the storm to make sure that they were all right. Then, we began coordinating recovery efforts with the help of Water Tracker. Systems were contacted and any needs were put into Water Tracker in a statewide effort to bring relief to the thousands of systems without water or power.
This is just the start of what will prove to be a lengthy process to bring everyone back in operational mode.
If you have any needs, please contact FRWA at 800.872.8207 or email us at frwa@frwa.net.
Good luck out there, and stay safe!
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FRWA Awarded Member Services Award |
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Pictured to the left is Patricia Cichon, President of the Florida Rural Water Association accepting the distinguished Outstanding Achievement in Member Services Award at the NRWA Water Pro Conference on Wednesday, September 28 in National Harbor MD. The association was selected from Rural Waters throughout the United States.
Thanks to each of you for your continued support that made this award possible. More on the award in next week's issue.
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We are looking for eager, motivated candidates to shape the Water & Wastewater’s future! Our apprenticeship program is designed to provide a true method of enhancing employees’ skills and technical knowledge. The apprentices will be able to experience different types of treatments with the instructor explaining the breakdown of each process. Upon completion of our program the apprentice will be a Class C operator with preparation to take the Class B test as well as having management courses under their belts! Apply today! https://apprenticeship.nrwa.org/pub/unpw_signup.cfm
- Southeast region begins in December 2022
- Northwest/ Southwest regions begin in January 2023
- Northeast region begins February 2023
For more information/questions email Jodi Pearson, the apprenticeship coordinator at jodi.pearson@frwa.net
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The generators below are military units that overproduce the stated 60 kW unlike most other generators that don't achieve advertised kW output They were acquired in November of 2019. They have been exercised monthly with a load back test every six month.
For further information email frwa@frwa.net or call 850.668.2746.
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$9600
Bolted down on a treated wooden deck, tandem axle utility trailer with 90 gallon Alm tank and 27 gallon belly tank. 3500 lbs. axles. Acquired in November 2019 with 220 hours refurbished. Currently 1844.4 runtime hours. For more specs, click here. For gen set, click here.
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$9600
Tandem axle fuel trailer bolted down to a steel deck with 90 gallon Alm external tank and 27 gallon on-board belly tank. Over production of kw. Acquired in November 2019 with 1646.8 hours refurbished. Currently 1701.8 runtime hours. For more specs, click here. For gen set, click here. |
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$9600
MEP-806B-60kW military generator on 200 gallon fuel trailer. John Deere engine with 779.3 hours. Acquired in November 2019 fully refreshed/refurbished at 773.5 hours. For more specs, click here. For gen set, click here. |
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NATIONAL NEWS
‘The chances of them still being alive are not good’: Coast Guard officials search for 20 at sea after migrant boat sinks | Sun Sentinel As Hurricane Ian’s strong winds and storm surge, coupled with king tides, are impacting the waters off Florida, officials are searching for 20 people stranded at sea after a migrant boat sank near Stock Island Wednesday, about 4 miles north of Key West. more
How AI Can Help During Early-Stage Cost Estimation And Project Phasing As a former utility engineering project manager, I understand the difficulty in planning large projects that span multiple years in the context of a capital budget. more
Wastewater Is Laden With Valuable Community Data Just about everything ends up at a sewage facility before being cleansed and discharged into a local river, lake, or even used to irrigate farmland. more
How Newark, NJ, Remediated Their Lead Service Lines In Under 3 Years In 2016, while testing water in schools, the City of Newark, NJ, began to notice lead exceedances. The following year when performing water testing in homes across the city, they began to find lead exceedances within residences as well. more
Expert: US water systems aren't ready for climate chaos Drinking water disasters across the United States in recent weeks are magnifying vulnerabilities in the nation’s water grid as operators grapple with record-setting drought and floods that can knock out aging systems for weeks. more
Feds preparing plan to help fix Jackson's water system - WFTV The federal government wants to work with officials in Mississippi's capital city to reach a legal agreement that ensures Jackson can sustain its water system in the future, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan said Monday. more
New report finds 'shocking' levels of lead in Chicago water - WUSF News From 2016 to 2021, Chicago's Department of Water Management conducted a study. They invited people in the country's third most populous city to test their water for lead. more
$1.3B in water funds to go to underserved communities The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded more than $1.3 billion for water infrastructure improvements to 18 states using funds provided in the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. more
Planned desalination plant in Texas faces uncertain future Texas regulators issued an environmental permit Thursday for the Port of Corpus Christi to build what could become the state’s first seawater desalination plant — but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may refuse to accept it. more
Ala. doles out $348M for water infrastructure The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) has awarded $348 million in grants and loans for sewer repairs and upgrades in almost 75% of the state's counties. more
Department of Homeland Security Announces Cybersecurity Grant for State, Local, and Territorial Governments Last Friday, the Department of Homeland Security announced the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP). The funding helps eligible entities address cybersecurity risks and threats to information systems owned or operated by—or on behalf of—state, local and territorial governments. more
Manchin's energy permitting bill has water provisions Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) released the text of his proposed changes to the country’s process for approving energy projects, seeking to make his case to skeptical lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. more
From Jacksonville to Jackson: Bottled water drive planned to ease Mississippi water crisis | Florida Times Union A water drive will be held in Jacksonville Sunday to collect clean water for Jackson, Miss., where historic flooding last month left about 150,000 of the city's mostly Black residents without drinkable water. more
States take on PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ with bans, lawsuits | CT Mirror “Forever chemicals” are everywhere. The thousands of chemicals in the group known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are found in cookware, packaging, cosmetics, clothing, carpet, electronics, firefighting foam and many other products. more
STATE NEWS
When the storm has passed: Now what? Safety tips for returning home | Tampa Bay Times As Hurricane Ian made its way toward Florida, mandatory evacuation orders were issued for thousands of residents across the state. Many more have taken it upon themselves to leave. more
Pollution from Florida mining a concern with Hurricane Ian | WKBT The polluted leftovers of Florida’s phosphate fertilizer mining industry, more than 1 billion tons in “stacks” that resemble enormous ponds, are at risk for leaks or other contamination when Hurricane Ian comes ashore in the state, environmental groups say. more
Commissioner Nikki Fried Shares USDA Hurricane Preparation & Recovery Reminders for ... As Hurricane Ian approaches, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is sharing important reminders from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with Florida producers to prepare for and as they recover from any potential impact from the storm. more
*What the heck is toilet-to-tap? - The West Volusia Beacon To hear some candidates tell it, if you don’t vote for them, you’ll soon be drinking water that your neighbor flushed down the toilet a few days ago. more
They're called 'super clams,' and the Indian River Lagoon just got 55,000 of them | Florida Today The long-embattled southern Indian River Lagoon got some support this month from what could be a promising solution to pollution problems. They're called "super clams." more
Storm water hides many dangers: Safety tips for you and your children | Naples Daily News The skies clear, the rain stops, and kids rush outdoors: wading, splashing, rooster-tailing their bikes through the watery post-hurricane landscape. more
White Island once had thriving ecosystem. Living shoreline plan seeks return to glory days | Pensacola News Journal White Island, once a robust spit of sugar sand, home to sand pines, scrub oak and sea oats and popular with area residents, has become a shadow of its old self. And the abundant life it once supported has suffered as a result. more
SWFWMD Hurricane Preparedness | Hernando Sun Jerry Mallams, Southwest Florida Water Management District Operations Bureau Chief, explains how the District works to prepare for the storm season by minimizing flood risks throughout the 16-county region. more
Climate groups flood gift shop in stunt to warn Floridians about sea level rise Several groups looking to encourage action to protect Florida against climate change are out with a new, splashy video aiming to show the possible effects of sea level rise up close and personal. more
Florida Department of Health Disaster Supply Kit Checklist | NewsRadio WFLA The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season is underway and the Florida Department wants to make sure you and your family are prepared. To assist, here are some tips on what supplies you need to gather for your emergency supply kit. more
OUA to extend sewer lines to Okee-Tantie | Okeechobee News Must Subscribe
Panama City Beach completes new reclaimed water system | WJHG Panama City Beach and The Northwest Florida Water Management District celebrated the completion of the Panama City Beach Parkway Reuse Transmission System during a special ceremony Thursday. more
Researchers will study how to best support Florida mangrove and coral reef ecosystems | WUSF At a time when developers are cutting down mangroves and building in such a way that's harming coral reefs, scientists will work with community members on solutions and policy changes. more
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This Week in Water History |
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First Hydro Power Plant in US |
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September 30, 1882 – Paper manufacturer H.F. Rogers (Appleton, WI) opened the first hydroelectric power plant in U.S.at riverside paper mill on Fox River, in Appleton, WI (later known as Appleton Edison Light Company); powered by water wheel, provided 12.5 kilowatts, enough for 180 lights (ten candlepower each) to light Rogers’ home, plant.
“On September 30, 1882, the first centrally located electric lighting system using the Edison system in the West and the first hydroelectric central station in the world began operation on the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin. The Vulcan Street plant (the Appleton Gas Light Co.), later named the Appleton Edison Light Company, powered the two paper mills of H. J. Rogers’ Appleton Paper and Pulp Co. and his residence, Hearthstone. Rogers, also president of the Appleton Gas Light Co. had been inspired by Thomas Edison’s plans for a steam-based power station in New York. With financial backing from three Appleton men, one a personal friend of Edison’s, Rogers began building this new venture during the summer of 1882, harvesting the power of the Fox River with a water wheel. The water wheel, generators, and copper wiring took only a few months to install and test. Initial testing of the plant on September 27 was unsuccessful but the Edison “K” type generator powered up successfully on September 30.”
Commentary: Interesting juxtaposition of topic and dates. On the same day only 54 years apart, hydroelectric power generation goes from beginning to one of the biggest in the world.
To enjoy more opportunities to take a look at the past in water history, go to this link.
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2970 Wellington Circle | Tallahassee FL 32309 | 850.668.8023 | Contact Us
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