APRIL IS WATER CONSERVATION MONTH |
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Why do we need to save water?
Although 18.5% of Florida’s surface is covered in water, most of our drinking water comes from underground. About 92% of the public uses groundwater, which comes from the aquifer system, a collection of underground caves filled with water. The largest of these is the Floridan Aquifer, which covers most of the state and north into Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama.
The aquifer is filled as water percolates through the soil and rocks, though this is a very slow process. Water tested from the Floridan Aquifer has been as much as 26,000 years old, so the system’s recovery rate is quite slow. In addition, about three quarters of water will evaporate or run off the land into lakes and streams and not into the soil. With Florida’s growing population, the state is expected to need another 1 billion gallons of water a day by 2040.
What about desalinization?
Water from the ocean can be made suitable by desalinization; however, this process is much more costly than pumping water from the ground. Filtration requires a great deal of energy and produces a concentrated brine that must then be safely disposed. Interior portions of the state can also use desalinization plants since the Lower Floridan Aquifer and some areas of the Upper Floridan Aquifer contain brackish, or slightly salty, water. These areas have the same energy and waste problems as those on the coast, though their solution is to pump the waste stream into a deeper section of the aquifer.
So how can we become better stewards of our water resources?
- Irrigate your lawn responsibly. About half of household water use occurs outdoors. Peninsular Florida – including Polk County - is on permanent mandatory water restrictions, allowing up to two days of irrigation per week, depending on your address. Certain municipalities have more stringent rules, so check with them to be sure. Always water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. to minimize evaporation.
- Make sure your bathroom is up to date. If you live in an older home, has your toilet been replaced? Those manufactured 30 years ago used at least two more gallons per flush than those produced today. Changing shower heads and aerators to low-flow models can also result in significant savings. Many utilities are offering rebates to help defray the costs of these changes, so check with them to see what’s offered in your area.
- When it’s time to replace your appliances, look for the Energy Star logo. Products like dishwashers and washing machines must also meet certain water-efficiency standards to be Energy Star certified, so you will save electricity and water.
- If you think you have a leak, investigate. Clues you might have a leak include high water bills, sounds of running water or unexpected dampness. Repairs will become more expensive the longer you wait.
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Don't Miss Out on this Year's FL/AL |
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Join us as we return to the Edgewater in Panama City on May 18-19, 2022 to meet with our friends from Alabama Rural Water to host the Florida/Alabama Joint Conference. This year’s Conference will be held at the beautiful Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort where you can fill your days with listening to the experts update you on critical topics in the industry. During the breaks you can stroll around our sold out Exhibit Hall to check out the latest in industry innovations. |
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May 18-19, 2022
Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort
11212 Front Beach Rd
Panama City FL 32407
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For only $100.00, you can register for the conference as an attendee to attend class and earn 1.0 CEU as well participate in all the activities and meals during the Conference. If you would like to sign in early, you may come by on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 17th while the Exhibitors are setting up in the Exhibit Hall. If you can't make it on Tuesday afternoon, don't worry! We will be opened bright and early at 8:00 am on Wednesday, May 18th to give you plenty of time to sign in and enjoy a continental breakfast in the Exhibit Hall before class begins at 9:30 am.
Don’t miss this opportunity to network with your peers while enjoying the latest in training topics and earn 1.0 CEU. Our Exhibit Hall will offer a chance to see the latest technology that the industry has to offer. At the end of the day, you can relax with your friends and enjoy the Annual Seafood Boil. If you have family coming with you, you can purchase additional meal tickets for $30.00.
To register and for more information, click here.
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SAVE THE DATE
FRWA Annual Conference
August 8-10, 2022
Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort
more coming soon
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EPA Summer Webinar Opportunities |
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Telecommunications Resources and Services – May 4, 2022 (1:00-2:00pm ET)
This webinar will provide information on resources and services to help water utilities develop and implement robust communications plans that will help utilities to maintain connectivity during power outages and natural disasters. Register here.
Accessing Laboratory Support – May 12, 2022 (1:00-2:00pm ET)
Accessing Laboratory Support resource is an interactive guide that demonstrates how to access lab support at the local, state, regional and federal levels. The guide provides examples of when this help may be needed and supplies a one-page summary sheet that lists key information for finding support. This training will cover: A description of potential users who may need to identify analytical support, an overview of options available for identifying analytical support, and highlight key water security resources to aid analytical response. https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1652162878298174731
Help Communities Recover More Quickly from a Disaster – May 12, 2022 (1:00-2:30pm ET)
Learn how you can expedite financial assistance for water and wastewater utilities in the aftermath of a Presidential-declared disaster using a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between EPA and FEMA. Hear first-hand experiences from Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) in Nebraska and Oklahoma who used the MOU to help communities in their state recover from catastrophic natural disasters. Get the opportunity to ask FEMA’s first responders and EPA’s water professionals for their insights on how to utilize this unique federal partnership so you can be ready when communities need your help the most. Register here.
Water Contaminant Information Tool (WCIT): Becoming an Advanced User – May 18, 2022 (1:00-2:00pm ET)
This webinar is geared towards active WCIT account holders to help them become more familiar with the database. This series covers the advanced capabilities of the WCIT system, hands-on activities, and in-depth discussions. The topic for this seminar will be “Flags and References.” This webinar will be limited to 50 attendees to foster participation and interaction among participants. https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5358721029135463438
Tips to Prepare for and Respond to Supply Chain Challenges – May 26, 2022 (2:00-3:00pm ET)
This webinar will provide an overview of best practices and resources for preparing for, and responding to, chemical and equipment supply chain disruptions. Through a real-world scenario, speakers will demonstrate:
· How utilities can understand their supply chain better using the new Water Treatment Chemical Suppliers and Manufacturer’s Locator Tool
· Key best practices for future supply chain challenges
· How to access updates on potential and ongoing supply chain disruptions
· Ways to tap into EPA’s technical assistance to resolve supply chain challenges
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at Water Utilities Virtual Workshops: EPA is hosting two, two-part virtual workshops this summer to engage drinking water and wastewater utilities, water associations, state and federal agencies, and other stakeholders on the current practices, opportunities, and challenges in increasing energy efficiency measures and utilizing renewable energy to increase power resilience at water utilities. Go to this link for more details on the topic for each session https://horsleywittenevents.webex.com/horsleywittenevents/onstage/g.php?PRID=c752efccc3d5b68b5e27b0e419343964
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FRWA Always Looking for Great People |
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NATIONAL NEWS
CISA and FBI Update Advisory on Destructive Malware Targeting Organizations in Ukraine As an update to CISA and FBI joint Cybersecurity Advisory on “Destructive Malware Targeting Organizations in Ukraine,” originally published February 26, both agencies published additional indicators of compromise (IOC) for WhisperGate and three malware analysis reports (MAR) with technical details for HermeticWiper, IsaacWiper, HermeticWizard, and CaddyWiper destructive malware. more
New technology seeks to destroy toxic "forever chemicals" in drinking water - CBS News Researchers estimate more than 200 million Americans in all 50 states could have cancer-causing carcinogens in their drinking water. The toxic chemicals per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, called PFAS, have been virtually indestructible — but new technology aims to change that. more
States May Miss Out On Federal Lead-Pipe-Removal Funds Due To Outdated Records Even after the Biden administration acknowledged the growing need for infrastructure improvements to water systems across the country through a major funding commitment, many legislators and clean drinking water advocates fear that systems across the country will remain neglected. more
CISA, FBI, NSA, and International Partners Urge Organizations to Mitigate Top Routinely Exploited Vulnerabilities in New Cyber Advisory The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), in partnership with cybersecurity authorities of Australia[1], Canada[2], New Zealand[3], United Kingdom[4], the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and National Security Agency (NSA), announced a joint Cybersecurity Advisory that provides details on the top 15 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) routinely exploited by malicious cyber actors in 2021, as well as other CVEs frequently exploited. more
National Day of Action April 30 Join EPA on the Route to Resilience as we highlight the resources available to help your utility be ready to Assess, Plan, Train, Respond, and Recover in the event of a water sector emergency. more
EFAB Pollution Prevention Finance Forum Webinar June 22 The Pollution Prevention Finance Forum is a series of webinars that explore opportunities and challenges in financing sustainability, with an initial focus on advancing opportunities for small and medium-sized manufacturing businesses. more
EFAB Pollution Prevention Finance Forum Webinar May 10 The Pollution Prevention Finance Forum is a series of webinars that explore opportunities and challenges in financing sustainability, with an initial focus on advancing opportunities for small and medium-sized manufacturing businesses. more
Consumer Confidence Reports Rule Revisions Listening Session Next Week Next week, EPA is hosting a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) Rule revisions listening session on April 26 from 2:00 – 5:00 pm (Eastern). more
OMB Releases Implementation Guidance for Build America, Buy America Act On April 18, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a guidance memo on the initial implementation of the “Build America, Buy America Act” (BABA). The Act, which is a component of the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA), requires federal agencies to ensure that “none of the funds made available for a Federal financial assistance program for infrastructure, including each deficient program, may be obligated for a project unless all of the iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project are produced in the United States.” more
NDWAC Digs into PFAS, BIL; EPA Announces Roster for MDBP Rule Revisions Workgroup EPA’s National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC) met on April 19 to discuss various topics but focused its time primarily on the Agency’s upcoming proposal for a National Primary Drinking Water Standard for PFAS. more
Model Legislation Aims to Improve Cybersecurity in the Water Sector The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) released a six-part legislative proposal for improving cybersecurity in the water and wastewater sector. more
Protecting US water systems | KXXV U.S. water systems and national security is a multi-layered problem. Some of the major aspects of national security are protecting the water systems and access to quality water. more
Study Finds PFAS At Higher Levels After Wastewater Treatment A new study has underscored the complexity of treating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), one of the country’s most prolific and widespread water contaminants, while highlighting the futility in attempting to address the problem at wastewater treatment facilities. more
How will President Biden's reversal of Trump-era rule on environment impact Florida? | WPTV Biden restores federal regulations guiding environmental reviews of major infrastructure projects. more
Amicus briefs urge Supreme Court to weigh in on WOTUS House Republicans, conservatives and property rights advocates yesterday threw their weight behind an Idaho couple’s request for the Supreme Court to narrow the scope of the Clean Water Act. more
STATE NEWS
SpaceX plan for industrial wastewater plant at Kennedy Space Center sparks Indian River Lagoon worries | Florida Today SpaceX plans for an industrial wastewater treatment plant at Hangar X — a facility at property the company leases from Kennedy Space Center, where it processes Falcon 9 first-stage boosters — have some conservationists worried what the wastewater might do to the Indian River Lagoon. more
Gov. DeSantis signs Keys derelict vessel, land authority bills | Florida Politics Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a pair of bills affecting the Florida Keys’ coastline. more
New tax would charge Vero Beach property owners, businesses to help clean Indian River Lagoon | TCPalm A new tax is needed to pay for city storm water projects, the City Council decided Tuesday. In a 4-1 vote, the council agreed to move forward with the tax. more
Santa Rosa, Milton near to deal to triple area wastewater capacity. Why some aren't happy: | Pensacola News Journal The interlocal agreement between Santa Rosa County and the city of Milton over the city's future wastewater treatment facility has been drafted. more
Planning for Economic Recovery Series in June This four-hour, in-person training course is designed to give participants the knowledge they need to strengthen their communities for economic resilience and recovery. more
West Palm Seashore water provide faces one other algae season with out backup State water managers want more evidence from West Palm Beach before they lift restrictions on drawing from emergency wells as the city races to thwart another toxic algae bloom in its drinking water supply. more
Marion County Commissioners approve septic-to-sewer conversion plan to reduce pollution | WCJB Marion County Commissioners approved a septic-to-sewer conversion plan that could save on costs and reduce water contamination. more
UF study: Human activity provides nutrients for longer, stronger red tides | WUSF It provided a glimpse into how the researchers linked nitrogen inputs, from both inland and coastal sections of the watershed, to eventual red tide intensity. more
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This Week in Water History |
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Typhoid Outbreak After Fire at Filtration Plant |
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April 27, 1916 Municipal Journal article. Typhoid Follows Burning of Filtration Plant. “South Fork, Pa.-South Fork has a typhoid fever epidemic. There are ten people ill with the disease now and a number of suspects are under observation. South Fork authorities say the sickness is the result of people not heeding the warning of the board of health to boil the water during the period in which the water was not treated because of fire destroying the filtration plant. The plant was burned several weeks ago. Circulars were distributed all over the town asking the people to boil all water used for domestic purposes. Ministers and school teachers announced the warning and the newspapers published it. Analysis of the water while the filtration plant was not working indicated possibilities of typhoid. The plant is again in operation and tests show the water free from pollution.”
Reference: “Typhoid Follows Burning of Filtration Plant.” 1916. Municipal Journal article 40:17(April 27, 1916): 590.
Commentary: Typhoid fever was still endemic in the U.S. in 1916. Any breakdown in the water treatment barriers caused spikes in disease such as the one described in this article. This also shows the problem with public notification. I guess that they did not have Twitter and Facebook back then.
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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