Infrastructure Funds Available Through SRF |
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Florida is scheduled to receive $275,420,00 in funding from the Bi-partisan Infrastructure Law which provides for $50 billion to EPA to strengthen the nation’s drinking water and wastewater systems. The majority of water infrastructure dollars will flow through State Revolving Fund programs.
Our guess is Emerging issues in Florida are going to prioritize PFAS and maybe other issues. Since Florida, thankfully, doesn’t have much lead and very limited lead services line inventory this program may need to be fleshed out to consider other materials—galvanized, asbestos cement, etc. line materials for reliability, sustainability and public health improvement purposes.
Stay tuned for additional information on Lead service line and emerging contaminants programs, goals and eligibility. For more details on the funding, click here.
The funds will be available on a first come, first served basis. Contact Jim McClaugherty, FRWA Utility Assessment Technician at Jim.McClaugherty@frwa.net or give him a call at 850.668.2647 for details on how to apply.
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Florida’s omicron cases may peak soon but not before infecting majority of state |
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Omicron cases in Florida will likely peak this week if they haven’t already, according to researchers. Once omicron recedes, researchers expect low COVID-19 cases for a few months, barring a more infectious variant. |
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Omicron cases in Florida will likely peak this week if they haven’t already, according to a report released from the University of Florida on Jan. 5.
After the peak, cases will rapidly decline, and the wave could be over around the end of February, according to the mathematical model made by Tom Hladish, a research scientist in UF’s Department of Biology; biostatistics professor Ira Longini and Alexander Pillai, a research assistant in UF’s Department of Biology.
“Right now we’re expecting it to die down dramatically because when you have such a big epidemic wave sweep through a population, you’re kind of depleting the susceptible fuel for the virus,” Hladish said.
Florida saw nearly 126,000 new reported cases over Saturday and Sunday. Once omicron recedes, researchers expect low COVID-19 cases for a few months, barring a more infectious variant.
There are many variants floating around but only a few have the ability to spread throughout the population. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is currently monitoring ten variants that are either nonexistent or very low in the U.S. Only delta and omicron have been marked as variants of concern, a label which designates variants in the U.S. that might be more infectious or severe than past strains, according to the CDC.
UF researchers previously predicted omicron would peak in February, but that was assuming it would behave more like delta.
Hladish said the researchers now predict reported cases could peak at around 90,000, and total cases in the state, including those that go unreported, could peak at an estimated 900,000 if they haven’t already.
Hladish said the model predicts that the majority of Florida will catch omicron during this wave — he estimates around 80% of the population may be infected when it’s over — though cautioned against assigning exact numbers to the estimated peaks and percent of people infected.
“Some people want exact numbers, but that’s just not possible,” he said. “The reality is we’re never going to know for sure because we don’t have a way of thoroughly surveilling the entire population.”
The exact number of unreported cases is definitely significantly higher than the number of
positive tests because tests are hard to find; many people with omicron have no symptoms or mild symptoms so they may not get tested; and rapid tests are more likely to give false negatives with omicron, among other reasons, Hladish said.
“If you only have the people infected who are showing up as cases you would not be able to sustain transmission,” he said. “It’s much, much more likely that these events are all connected by a lot of other infections that we aren’t detecting.”
Central Florida wastewater also makes it clear that far more people are being infected than positive tests let on: a record level of COVID-19 was found in the Altamonte sewer service area, which includes the city and parts of Longwood, unincorporated Seminole County, Maitland, Eatonville and Winter Park.
City manager Frank Martz said the figure suggests about 70% of the service area’s 78,000 population was infected Thursday when testing was done.
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The first classes of Focus on Change are just a month away. The classes are held at locations throughout the state which gives everyone a chance to attend within driving distance. What better way to start off the new year than by catching up with the changes in regulations and earning 0.6 CEUs!
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. If you haven't received your agenda, you can access a complete agenda, clicking here.
The Florida Rural Water Association is very concerned about your safety while attending this year’s Focus on Change. We will make every effort to follow the CDC guidelines for your safety.
Classrooms will be set so that you will have ample room to be able to keep a safe distance while being able to get the most from the presentations. In consideration of others, we ask attendees to wear their masks while in the facility. If you do not have a mask, we will be happy to supply one.
Hand sanitizer will be available for your use. We ask that you use it generously and often as you see fit in order to comply with the CDC guidelines.
By following the guidelines of the CDC and with your cooperation, FRWA hopes to be able to continue to be able to hold onsite training. These onsite classes keep the water and wastewater operators of Florida informed and offer continuing education units at a reasonable price.
Thank you for your cooperation. Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you at upcoming FRWA events.
If you would like to register and for more information, click on the location you wish to attend below.
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FLORIDA RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION
2970 Wellington Circle
Tallahassee FL 32309
850.668.2746
01.25.22
01.27.22
02.23.22
02.24.22
04.12-.15.22
05.03-04.22
05.16-18.22
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NATIONAL NEWS
Supreme Court Met Last Week to Review Accepting Sackett vs. EPA That Could Limit Scope of Federal Government in Regulating Interstate Waters The court reviewed the case on January 7, 2022, which tests what waters are covered under the Clean Water Act, and specifically what waters, including wetlands, should be considered “waters of the United States.” more
Gene found in Georgia water a possible global threat A gene that causes bacteria to be resistant to one of the world’s most important antibiotics, colistin, has been detected in sewer water in Georgia. more
EPA has a long way to go on Superfund cleanups When Missouri Rep. Doug Clemens, D-St. Ann, heard that President Joe Biden’s recently passed infrastructure legislation included a $1 billion investment in a backlog of Superfund site cleanups, he was thrilled. more
Water Department Worker Recounts Losing Home and Restoring Public Drinking Water After Dawson Springs, Kentucky Tornado When the tornado from earlier this month hit the Dawson Springs area, the South Hopkins Water District Superintendent Jon Blalock went right to work, trying to restore water to those who had lost everything. But it turns out, he was a survivor too. more
Critics Warn EPA’s Draft PFAS Science May Hamper Ongoing Science Advisory Board (SBA) Review Commenters are warning of errors and inconsistencies in EPA scientific documents that will guide its efforts to craft drinking water limits for two PFAS. more
Rural Water to Participate in EPA Review Panel on the Proposed PFAS Standards EPA announced the formation of Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel for the proposed PFAS rulemaking to offer small governments and not-for-profit organizations an opportunity to provide recommendations to ensure that EPA carefully considers small entity concerns. NRWA is supporting the nominations of Liz Royer of Vermont Rural Water Association, Brad Sawyer of Maine Rural Water Association, and John Jones of New Mexico Rural Water Association for appointment to the SBAR Panel.
U.S. Treasury Issues Final Rule for State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program to Support the Ongoing COVID Response The final rule released January 6, 2021, broadened eligible water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure projects and simplified the program for small localities. more
City of Cynthiana Public Water Workers - Kentucky Rural Water Association Testify About Essential Water Workers’ Pandemic Response Before Kentucky House Hearing video
STATE NEWS
Cost-share project applications accepted by SJRWMD until Feb. 18 The St. Johns River Water Management District is accepting applications Jan. 4–Feb. 18 for both its Fiscal Year 2022–2023 Districtwide Cost-Share Program and its FY 2022–2023 funding program for Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) communities and innovative projects. more
FGCU using its campus to study floodwaters and how to protect against them Southwest Florida sees its fair share of flooding, whether it is during a hurricane or just a regular summer storm, but those rising waters also tell a story. more
CONVERSATIONS: This legislative session, lawmakers to take up water quality, land conservation and seagrass | WMFE Florida lawmakers convene Tuesday in Tallahassee for the start of the legislative session. more
Lynn Haven receives state funding for storm water project | My Panhandle The city of Lynn Haven was awarded several grants to help with their storm water mitigation plan for this year. more
State: Seepage detected at Piney Point | Anna Maria Islander The Florida Department of Environmental Protection reported Jan. 6 the discovery of three “low-volume seepage areas” at the Piney Point phosphate site. more
Northwest Florida Water Management District discusses state of water at First Friday The Bay County Chamber of Commerce hosted First Friday with the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce Friday morning. more
Flooding relief project in Washington County, Fla., is successful Flooding in Washington County has been an issue for some time, but officials think they may have found a solution for at least one area. more
Wastewater study: Almost 70% of people near Altamonte Springs Sewer Service Area have COVID-19 | WESH Almost 50,000 cases of COVID-19 were reported in Florida on Monday, and the seven-day average still sits around 64,500. more
DeSantis announces $3.5M for Lake Butler wastewater system improvements | News4Jax More than $3.5 million has been awarded to Lake Butler to make improvements to the city’s wastewater collection and pumping system to further mitigate infrastructure damage from future storms, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday. more
Lawmakers want to see new sewer systems put in Hillsborough County | WTSP There are 120,000 septic systems in Hillsborough County. Lawmakers want to use federal dollars to covert those homes and business to sewer service. more
Nearly 12,000 more Tampa Bay homes labeled "high risk" by FEMA flood maps | ABC Action News Two years after Kevin Franzese and his wife purchased their Oldsmar home the neighborhood became part of a flood zone. more
Florida State University bolsters research projects with an eye on the marketplace A process for cheaper fuel cells, improved genomic profiling and an environmentally friendly way to increase water retention for plants are among the projects that Florida State University is helping researchers move forward into potential commercial ventures. more
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This Week in Water History |
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January 12, 1987: A large outbreak of cryptosporidiosis began on this day.“Between January 12 and February 7, 1987, an outbreak of gastroenteritis affected an estimated 13,000 (out of 64,900) people in Carroll County in western Georgia (including Carrollton, GA). Cryptosporidiumoocysts were identified in the stools of 58 of 147 patients with gastroenteritis (39 percent) tested during the outbreak. Studies for bacterial, viral, and other parasitic pathogens failed to implicate any other agent. In a random telephone survey, 299 of 489 household members exposed to the public water supply (61 percent) reported gastrointestinal illness, as compared with 64 of 322 (20 percent) who were not exposed (relative risk, 3.1; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.4 to 3.9). The prevalence of IgG [Immunoglobulin G—an antibody isotype] to Cryptosporidiumwas significantly higher among exposed respondents to the survey who had become ill than among nonresident controls. Cryptosporidiumoocysts were identified in samples of treated public water with use of a monoclonal-antibody test. Although the sand-filtered and chlorinated water system met all regulatory-agency quality standards, sub-optimal flocculation and filtration probably allowed the parasite to pass into the drinking-water supply. Low-level Cryptosporidiuminfection in cattle in the watershed and a sewage overflow were considered as possible contributors to the contamination of the surface-water supply. We conclude that current standards for the treatment of public water supplies may not prevent the contamination of drinking water by Cryptosporidium, with consequent outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis.”
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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