The Florida Rural Water Association will be closed on January 1, 2024 for New Year's. If you have an emergency, email FRWA at frwa@frwa.net or call 850.668.2746 and leave a message.

The Florida Rural Water Association appreciates your support during the past year. It is through the support of our membership that we are able to continue to offer quality technical assistance for the water and wastewater systems in the state. As the year comes to a close, take a minute and look back with us on our efforts in 2023.

January The FRWA staff had a day of onsite emergency response training at our warehouse in Cairo GA. The staff was 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. 

February We started our annual Focus on Change classes in Pompano Beach, Punta Gorda, and Lake City with over 650 attendees.

March We conclude our Focus on Change classes in Panama City, Ocala, and Haines City with almost 700 attendees.

April We announced that a Bill passed both State Legislative chambers that adds critical/essential first responders' status for water workers, reciprocity with the other states certifications to allow those licensed professional to utilize their certification if they move to Florida to help our profession and water utilities workforce pool.

May The Senate of the State of Mississippi recognized FRWA for assisting in restoring service to the City of Jackson, Mississippi in September 2022. To take a look at the resolution, click here.

June FRWA submitted comments to EPA regarding PFAs addressing the economic and social impact of addressing of federal PFAs regulation. To read the full comment, click here.

July FRWA held the 2023 Annual Conference in Tampa with over 600 attendees and announced our new Legal Assistance program that aligns our members with experienced rural water attorneys. For more information on the Legal Assistance Program, click here.

August Hurricane Idalia hit the big bend of Florida as a Category 3 hurricane. Idalia left an estimated $20 billion in damage. Click here for an inside look of FRWA preparing for the onset on Hurricane Idalia. In August FRWA began mailing a summary of important information that appears in our weekly eNews to our members that do not have email addresses. For a look at what was sent in August, click here.

September FRWA continues assistance efforts to Idalia victims as the Nature Coast struggled with supplying water to their customers.

October The 2023/2024 Membership Directory arrived in member's mailboxes. To browse through the pages online, click here. In October, we mailed an updated version of news that appears in eNews to keep our members informed. Click here to view what was sent.

November The FLITE (Fort Lauderdale Independence, Training & Education) Center teamed up with the Florida Rural Water Association to provide students the Class D Drinking Water Operator course.

December FRWA launches it's Lead Service Line Inventory program. All systems must have their inventory completed by October 16, 2024. On December 5, another version of the information was mailed to our members that do not have access to email. Click here for a look at what was mailed.

After a busy year, FRWA is looking forward to the future and what 2024 will bring. Dates are set for Focus on Change in March and April. We have not completed our agenda yet, but you can register now to secure your seat at the location nearest you by clicking here.

By popular demand the FRWA Annual Conference will return to Daytona Beach in 2024. Make your plans to attend on July 29-31. Registration is not open yet, but will be announced as soon as it is available.

FRWA wishes you and yours a Healthy and Prosperous New Year. Always remember, FRWA is always here for you and your system by emailing us at frwa@frwa.net or contacting us by phone at 850.668.2746.

Recently, Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly, President of Business Development Laura DiBella, Deputy Secretary of Economic Development and President of SelectFlorida TJ Villamil and Chief Operating Officer Matt Swanson of FloridaCommerce visited five rural Florida counties highlighting economic investments in our state’s rural communities. 

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, FloridaCommerce continually invests in projects that improve infrastructure and create opportunities for employers and families in rural communities,” said Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “By visiting Putnam, Bradford, Columbia, Baker and Suwannee counties I was able to see firsthand how the Governor’s and FloridaCommerce’s investments in infrastructure support economic growth in our rural communities and I am looking forward to seeing how the regions continue to grow for Florida’s future generations.”

What local economic leaders are saying:

“Here in Suwannee County, we are extremely pleased with the continued growth that we have seen over the last several years. With the support of the Department of Commerce we have been able to invest in both water and wastewater infrastructure which has directly resulted in Suwannee County landing several projects. Simply put, with the support from the State of Florida and the Department of Commerce, our dreams are becoming reality. The next project, Wave Armor, is scheduled to break ground in the first quarter of 2024. The future is bright here in Suwannee County.” Said Jimmy Norris, Suwannee County Economic Development Director.

"Columbia County thanks the leadership of Governor DeSantis and Secretary Kelly for their continued partnership and investment in Florida's rural communities. Located at the crossroads of Interstates 75 and 10, Columbia County is strategically positioned to be the State's epicenter of manufacturing and distribution. Having partners such as the Florida Department of Commerce ensures that Columbia County is well positioned to continue attracting high-quality jobs and economic growth." Said Jennifer L. (Goff) Daniels, Columbia County Economic Development Director

“We are excited for Secretary Kelly’s visit to Putnam County to see the momentum and success stories we have in economic development. FloridaCommerce is a great partner with us on growing jobs and our local economy.” Said, Mark Litton, Putnam County Chamber.

“The number one priority for Bradford County is economic development and job growth. We have demonstrated our commitment to this by dedicating $4 million of ARPA funding to a joint project with the City of Starke to extend water and wastewater infrastructure to the area surrounding SR 16 and the US HWY 301 bypass. Once this infrastructure is in place, we envision development in that area to include mixed use, commercial, light industrial and other uses to spur economic development in our county. Our other area of focus is the Keystone Heights Airport. This is a hidden gem in Bradford County and an area ripe for business development. In conjunction with this, we have been working closely with Florida Commerce in partnership with the Northeast Florida Economic Development Corporation to acquire a state-owned warehouse that could house a leader in the aviation industry. We are excited about this opportunity and deeply appreciate the partnership with FloridaCommerce.” Said, Scott Kornegay, County Manager Bradford County.

The commitment of Governor DeSantis and Secretary Kelly to support economic development in rural counties, like Baker, is second to none. The funding for infrastructure that we have received through the Job Growth Grant Fund and the Rural Infrastructure Fund has been instrumental in our success. Construction will start in early 2024 on two projects that we have announced in the past 8 months. Combined, these projects will bring over $800 million in new capital investment and 800 new high wage jobs to Baker County. Said, Darryl Register, Executive Director Baker County Chamber of Commerce. more

NATIONAL NEWS

EPA Report Shows Steady Progress to Protect Communities from PFAS Pollution Report highlights key EPA accomplishments to safeguard public health and the environment from dangerous 'forever chemicals'. more

Popular Ice Control Products Can Increase Phosphorus in Nearby Waterways USGS study examines phosphorus-containing products used extensively at airports that experience freezing conditions. more

The Water Research Foundation Funds Utility Research Projects Worth $5M In Research Value The Water Research Foundation (WRF) has selected twelve new projects for funding through its Tailored Collaboration Program, totaling over $5M in research value. more

U.S. Water Utilities Deploy PFAS Treatment Technologies To Safeguard Drinking Water For Communities Early Adopters Pave the Way for Widespread “Forever Chemicals” Remediation Strategies in Response to Emerging Regulations more

WateReuse Elects Hillsborough County's Bart Weiss, New Slate Of Officers At the WateReuse Association’s 2023 fourth quarter meeting, its Board of Directors elected a new slate of officers to lead nation’s only trade association dedicated to advancing laws more

EPA adjusting national drinking water standards for forever chemicals This month, the EPA released its annual report on how it’s making strides in tackling PFAS contamination nationwide. more

Treated wastewater often held to higher standard than drinking water: Expert California regulators Tuesday approved new rules to let water agencies recycle wastewater and return it to the pipes that carry drinking water to homes, schools and businesses. more

WMFE's top 23 most viewed stories of 2023 2023 is coming to an end. Here at 90.7 WMFE, we are closing out the year by taking a look back at the 23 most popular stories from the year. more

EPA announces new forever chemicals sampling agreement with Chemours Chemours will conduct new sampling for “forever chemicals” around its Washington Works facility under an agreement announced this week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. more

CONGRESS MAKES LITTLE PROGRESS IN AVOIDING THE NEXT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING DEADLINE On Thursday, 12/14, the House adjourned until January 9th for its Holiday recess without any resolution of the negotiations for a funding agreement for the Federal government for fiscal year 2024 more

ASDWA TO HOLD JANUARY 9 WEBINAR ON THE USE OF GAC TO TREAT PFAS IN DRINKING WATER On January 9, ASDWA will hold the second webinar in the association’s series, “Navigating the Intricacies of PFAS Treatment.” more

EPA SENDS FINAL RULE TO REGULATE PFAS IN DRINKING WATER TO OMB On December 15, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent the final rule for regulating PFAS in drinking water to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. more

Inside the Pentagon’s painfully slow effort to clean up decades of PFAS contamination Oscoda, Michigan, has the distinction as the first community where "forever chemicals" were found seeping from a military installation into the surrounding community. more

EPA National Water Sector Cybersecurity Drill: A Day Without SCADA EPA will be hosting a free cybersecurity drill for drinking water and wastewater systems. more

A Cyber Threat to U.S. Drinking Water The Iranian threat to U.S. drinking water systems is a microcosm of what’s wrong with cybersecurity in the U.S. today—and what’s needed to fix it. more

Reflecting on a Year in Rural Water A year of hard work scattered with struggles — and great successes — for Rural Water more

STATE NEWS

Florida approves plan to spend $19 million to conserve rural land DeSantis has also pitched $100 million for the Florida Forever program in his 2024-2025 budget recommendations more

Vero Beach receives $25 million grant to move wastewater plant off Indian River Lagoon Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced that more than $300 million of funding from the state’s Department of Environmental Protection will go towards the protection of the Indian River Lagoon and improving water quality more

Florida City Accepts $1 Million Dollar Grant Florida City has received a $1 million dollar grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. more

Florida utilities plan to lower customer bills in 2024 After high natural-gas costs helped push up electric bills over the past year, many Florida utility customers could get some relief in 2024. more

City to relocate west water tank The city's budget workshop discussions included the topic of replacing the west elevated water tank located at 14 Camelia St. more

ANOTHER WATER PIPE REPLACEMENT PROJECT SET FOR 2024 IN ISLAMORADA Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA) is continuing its replacement of old water pipe throughout the Upper Keys. more

Pandemic Stats Then and Now

December 28, 1918 Municipal Journal article—To Investigate Cost of Influenza. “Harrisburg, Pa.-An investigation is to be conducted by the state department of health into the cost of the epidemic of influenza, which has taken 47,000 lives. Dr. B. Franklin Royer, acting state health commissioner, has announced that every phase of the social and economic cost of the disease will be surveyed. Doctor Royer has sent letters to men and women in charge of the work of fighting the epidemic in various parts of the state and asked that the information desired be returned at once to the department. ‘Professor J. P. Lichtenberger, of the Wharton School of Finance, of the University of Pennsylvania’ he said, ‘has been engaged by the department to undertake this work, and a large corps of clerks, stenographers and other officers of the state department of health have been designated to cooperate in gathering the data….’” 

Commentary: In the midst of a national construction push for more filtration plants, the U.S. was devastated by the influenza pandemic. It has been estimated that 500,000 to 675,000 people died in the U.S. alone and 20 to 50 million people worldwide.

2020 Update: I would never have guessed that 102 years after this article, the world would be in the grip of a raging viral pandemic. As of this date in 2020 in the US, deaths from Covid-19 are expected to reach over 470,000 by March 1, 2021. Vaccines are on the horizon but hundreds of thousands of lives could be saved if only people would wear masks, socially distance and stay home. Tragic beyond belief.

2021 Update: As of this date, Covid-19 has infected over 52,000,000 with over 800,000 deaths attributed to the virus. Vaccines have been available for over a year and boosters are now being encouraged. Those receiving the vaccine, may still develop COVID-19 but the symptoms are milder. Due to problems related to COVID, there are still shortages in many areas.

2022 Update: An average of 3,040 cases per day were reported in Florida in the last week. Cases have increased by 38 percent from the average two weeks ago. Deaths have increased by 306 percent. Since the beginning of the pandemic, a total of 7,269,428 cases have been reported. At least 1 in 257 residents have died from the coronavirus, a total of 83,606 deaths.

2023 Update: A reported 92,553 Florida resident deaths have been linked to COVID-19 since the pandemic started in 2020, including 8,070 this year, according to data posted Friday on the Florida Department of Health website.

Although, the number of COVID cases is waning, we are left with the scars of the last few years of which we will never recover.

FLORIDA RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION | http://www.frwa.net

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