DEP launches the Hurricane Stormwater and Wastewater Assistance Grant Program for impacted local governments |
|
Stormwater and wastewater grant applications now being accepted for review. Application due date is March 31, 2023 |
|
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced a new funding opportunity for local governments that operate a stormwater or wastewater management system in Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Nassau, Palm Beach, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sarasota and Volusia counties that were impacted by Hurricane Ian or Hurricane Nicole.
“The department is committed to helping these communities rebuild,” said DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “This new funding opportunity will ensure stormwater and wastewater systems are able to be restored as quickly as possible to protect our communities and our environment.”
To be eligible for the program, the impacted facility must be operated by the county, municipality or special taxing district and the applicant must provide proof that:
• The applicant’s stormwater or wastewater systems sustained damages as a result of Hurricane Ian or Hurricane Nicole.
• The damage to the stormwater or wastewater system poses an immediate threat to public health or the environment if not immediately addressed.
During the December 2022 special legislative session, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature created the Hurricane Stormwater and Wastewater Assistance Grant Program and allocated $100 million to help impacted local governments address damages to stormwater and wastewater infrastructure as a result of storms. DEP developed emergency rules for this new program in accordance with Chapter 2022-272 Laws of Florida.
Please note, any information submitted to DEP will become a public record, subject to disclosure in accordance with Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, and Article 1, § 24 of the Florida Constitution. Submittal of a project proposal does not create an agreement nor does it guarantee funding.
|
|
Classes are filling up fast at this year's Focus on Change! 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.
With the CEU cycle ending on April 30th, this is a great chance to get that final 0.6 CEUs towards your drinking water, distribution, or wastewater license! This is one of the most popular classes that FRWA presents. With the seminars being in six different locations throughout the state, there is a convenient location near you!
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.
|
|
 |
NATIONAL NEWS
Why American cities are struggling to supply safe drinking water | PBS News Weekend Residents of Jackson, Mississippi; Flint, Michigan; and parts of New York City, Baltimore and the state of Hawaii have all dealt with contaminated water supply over the years. more
Lawmakers target new WOTUS definition with resolutions Congressional Republicans introduced two resolutions this week to overturn executive branch rulemaking on issues relating to the environment. more
ASDWA Asks President Biden to Fully Fund the SRFs in Joint Letter from Thirteen Water Organizations In a February 2 letter, ASDWA joined twelve other water sector associations urging President Biden to fully fund the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) at $3 billion each in the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget. more
EPA Releases Updated Clean Water Act Financial Capability Assessment Guidance On February 1, EPA released its final updated Clean Water Act Financial Capability Assessment (FCA) Guidance to “help communities ensure public health protections and financial feasibility as they work to comply with the Clean Water Act (CWA).” more
New Proposed Rule from EPA Aims to Prevent Companies from Manufacturing or Using Inactive PFAS Without EPA Review On January 26, EPA released a proposed Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) that would prevent companies from starting or resuming the manufacture, processing, or use of “inactive” PFAS without a complete EPA review and risk determination under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). more
New Stanford Research Shows Droughts Can Make Water Unaffordable For Low-Income Households According to a recent study, when providers act to curtail water use or invest in new infrastructure because of a drought, bills can rise for low-income households and drop for high-income households. more
$80M In Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funds Available For Projects That Conserve Water, Improve Watershed Health Investments to help Western states, Tribes and U.S. Territories increase water supply reliability. more
STATE NEWS
New in Florida's policy podcast scene: Brett Cyphers with 'Water for Fighting' If there is one thing that Florida policy insiders can agree on, it may be best explained with a quote attributed to Mark Twain: “Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting.” more
County leaders announce groundbreaking wastewater treatment plant expansion in Miami-Dade New water capacity is expected to see 16 percent increase to 131 million gallons a day. more
The STATE of WATER | Florida Weekly DeSantis spending plan for restoration and protection of Florida water includes “the good, the unclear, and the political.” more
How AI Improves Efforts To Find And Replace Lead Service Lines Given that lead is such a potent neurotoxin, getting the largest number of lead drinking water service lines replaced as quickly as possible is an obvious top priority. more
Adopting A 'One Water' Approach In Florida Through Integrated Master Planning A One Water master plan under development for the city of Winter Haven, Florida, serves as an example to other communities looking at the future through a One Water lens. more
St. Lucie County's $18 million septic-to-sewer\u00a0project faces final approval in April | TCPalm The county needs to clear one final hurdle in order to eliminate the last septic tanks from the Treasure Coast's barrier island in the next two years. more
House subcommittee seeks to give Florida springs a hand | Florida Politics 'And freeing the Ocklawaha River would cost next to nothing.' more
Lee County Natural Resources reminds residents and visitors to conserve water | Lehigh Acres Citizen As seasonally dry conditions continue in Lee County, residents and visitors are urged to conserve water where they can and to limit lawn irrigation in accordance with the Lee County year-round water conservation ordinance. more
Officials issue boil water advisory for Poinciana area near Reedy Creek | WFTV Officials with the Toho Water Authority announced a boil water advisory is in effect for customers in the Poinciana area. more
FDEP costal repair grant program application to open Wednesday - Daytona Beach News-Journal Volusia County residents can start applying Wednesday for up to $150,000 in grant funds to help cover the cost of preparing for or repairing coastal damage from tropical storms Ian and Nicole. more
Fla. sewage plant project begins today Conversations began nearly 20 years ago among local leaders and the community about moving Fort Pierce Utilities Authority's wastewater treatment-plant off Hutchinson Island. more
|
|
|
|
This Week in Water History |
|
February 10, 1990: New York Times headline— Perrier Recalls Its Water in U.S. After Benzene Is Found in Bottles. by George James “The company that made bottled mineral water chic is voluntarily recalling its entire inventory of Perrier from store shelves throughout the United States after tests showed the presence of the chemical benzene in a small sample of bottles.
The impurity was discovered in North Carolina by county officials who so prized the purity of Perrier that they used it as a standard in tests of other water supplies.
The Food and Drug Administration said it is testing supplies in California and other states. In a written statement issued last night, Ronald V. Davis, president of the Perrier Group of America Inc., said there was no significant health risk to the public. But the statement did not go into the details of the recall, how it would work, the number of bottles to be recalled and the impact on a company that has built its success on its product’s image of purity and stylishness.
William M. Grigg, a spokesman for the Food and Drug Administration, said his agency’s Hazard Evaluation Board had collected samples of Perrier and found no immediate risk to the public from the benzene in the water.”
|
|
2970 Wellington Circle | Tallahassee FL 32309 | 850.668.2746 | Contact Us
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
