FRWA Receives Support for Apprenticeship Program |
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Florida Rural Water Association is proud to announce that we have been awarded a grant for use in our apprenticeship program. This is very exciting news for us and our program as this money will go a long way in helping us remove barriers for current and future candidates that want to take part in our Apprenticeship Program. We are currently discussing possible ways we could use the money that would best benefit our students and program. Therefore, the start of the 2022 class will be delayed for a short period of time to allow us here at FRWA to make these critical decisions. Our goal is to have one of the premier apprenticeship programs in the country so we are weighing our options carefully.
Thank you for your patience and interest in our program!
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Apprenticeship Program Donations |
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FRWA would like to thank Mr. Chuck Pool, Hawkins Inc. and Mr. Steven Spencer, HomeServe USA for their gracious donations to the Florida Rural Water Association’s Apprenticeship Program. Our goal at FRWA is to recruit and develop the next generation of great drinking water/wastewater operators for the State of Florida and these donations will surely go a long way in helping us achieve that goal.
During the two year program, our apprentices must overcome many unforeseen challenges such as long distance travel and the costs that go along with that, increasing costs in books and supplies etc. Tuition itself can also present problems for some of our students, especially those coming from the smaller utilities. That’s why we try and focus on our smaller markets first to ensure they are not left behind and have an equal opportunity in participating in our program.
It's organizations like Hawkins Inc. and HomeServe USA that allow us to offer those opportunities to individuals wanting to make a difference in the FRWA Apprenticeship Program. Thank you for your donation and support of this very important program.
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EPA Announces Intent to Strengthen Lead and Copper Regulations, Support Proactive Lead Service Line Removal Across the Country |
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WASHINGTON (Dec. 16, 2021) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan announced that the agency will begin developing a new regulation to better protect communities from exposure to lead in drinking water. EPA is committed to using every tool available—statutory authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act, technical assistance, funding, and more—to protect all Americans from lead in drinking water. The agency will collaboratively work with local, state, and federal partners, to make rapid progress on President Biden’s goal to remove 100% of lead service lines, with a focus on prioritizing communities disproportionately impacted by lead contamination.
“Over the past year, I have visited with and heard from communities in Chicago, Flint, Jackson, and many other areas that are impacted by lead in drinking water,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “These conversations have underscored the need to proactively remove lead service lines, especially in low-income communities. The science on lead is settled—there is no safe level of exposure and it is time to remove this risk to support thriving people and vibrant communities.”
Today’s announcement is a key component of the Biden-Harris administration’s whole of government Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan, also announced today.
Following the agency’s review of the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) under Executive Order 13990, EPA has concluded that there are significant opportunities to improve the rule to support the overarching goal of proactively removing lead service lines and more equitably protecting public health. EPA is announcing a two-prong approach to strengthen this regulatory framework.
Beginning December 16, the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions will go into effect to advance critical lead service line inventories that are necessary to achieve 100% removal of lead service lines. The agency plans to issue guidance—including best practices, case studies, and templates to help develop lead service line inventories—to assist its partners in implementation of the rule. more
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Rural Water Responding to Devastating Storms |
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Late on Friday December 10 and early Saturday December 11, storms and a reported more than 30 tornadoes tore through several states in the central and southern region of the country. Thousands of homes were lost, manufacturing facilities were damaged or demolished, and water and wastewater systems were dramatically affected. State Rural Water Associations immediately acted in response to these devastating storms.
State Rural Water Association employees in Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois and Arkansas have assessed 29 systems since the accident. According to NRWA’s data collected since the storm hit, the estimated population impacted from this storm is more than 13,000 rural Americans and totals over $30,000 in damages. SRWA employees are working diligently to make sure all systems affected are back up and running as soon as possible.
Kentucky Rural Water Association released this statement; “KRWA would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to those who have reached out to us over the last few days. Friends throughout—and outside of—Kentucky have called to check on us and ask what they can do to help. The Bowling Green office did experience minor damage from the storms.
We are beyond grateful for the service-driven mentality of our industry. Water and wastewater professionals are among those working around the clock to stabilize operations and restore services. Neighboring utilities are showing up for each other in a big way. Communities are made stronger when we look outside of ourselves — and our own specific mission — to support the good work others do. It is this culture that exists among the Rural Water family that makes us proud to serve you.
We are continuing to assess and ensure support to western Kentucky utilities while also rendering aid where we can in our own city. Many lives and landscapes have been altered, but the spirit of community and comradery is alive and well. Actions will always speak louder than words, and we are simply awe struck by the outpouring of love and compassion being shown around Bowling Green and in the other communities that were in the paths of the storms’ ravages.”
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USDA Invests $14.3 Million to Build and Improve Water Infrastructure in Rural Florida |
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GAINESVILLE, Fla., Dec. 16, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and Acting State Director for Rural Development Jason Brower for Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands today announced that USDA is investing $14,371,400 to build and improve critical rural infrastructure in Florida.
“When we invest in rural infrastructure, we invest in the livelihoods and health of people in rural America,” Vilsack said. “Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice president Harris, USDA is committed to Building a Better America by investing in America’s rural infrastructure, expanding access to broadband, clean drinking water and resilient power infrastructure. The investments we are announcing today will drive the creation of good-paying union jobs and grow the economy sustainably and equitably so that everyone gets ahead for decades to come.”
This announcement follows the recent passage of President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and reflects the many ways USDA Rural Development’s programs are helping people, businesses and communities address critical infrastructure needs to help rural America build back better.
The three recipients receiving Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program are:
- Okeechobee Utility Authority in Okeechobee County, Fla., will use $8,391,000 to construct a sewer collection system to serve 503 residents that are currently on aged septic systems. This improvement will correct health and sanitary issues by reducing nutrient loading into Lake Okeechobee and the Lake Okeechobee basin.
- Holt Water Works Inc. in Okaloosa County, Fla., will use $4,740,400 for water system improvements which consists of construction of a new well, a new elevated storage tank, replacement of asbestos pipes and aged meters with updated radio read water meters. This improvement will also add a secondary source of water to correct health and sanitary issues.
- Floral City Water Association Inc. in Citrus County, Fla., will use $1,240,000 to make improvements to the water system by extending water lines to residents that are currently on private wells and have water quality issues. The improvement will provide quality drinking water for the residents.
Background
Vilsack and Brower highlighted three investments in rural Florida that USDA is making in the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program designed to help people in rural areas access clean water. The investments announced today will support water infrastructure projects in Okeechobee, Okaloosa and Citrus counties.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate, smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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FLORIDA RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION
2970 Wellington Circle
Tallahassee FL 32309
850.668.2746
01.11-14.22
01.19-20.22
01.25.22
01.27.22
02.23.22
02.24.22
04.12-.15.22
05.03-04.22
05.15-18.22
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NATIONAL NEWS
PFAS Cost Recovery Program There are many unknowns related to PFAS contamination in our water supply, wastewater discharges and bio-solid
disposal. These unknowns impact decision-making, budgeting and costs. more
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) With unprecedented funding to support our national infrastructure, EPA will improve people’s health and safety, create good-paying jobs, and increase climate resilience throughout the country. more
Redefining WOTUS a priority for Biden President Joe Biden released his second regulatory to-do list Friday, detailing almost 2,700 agenda items that define his ambitions to change the environment, transportation, and mental healthcare through the federal government’s rulemaking power. more
A New Lead and Copper Rule Any Day The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes regulatory revisions to the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for lead and copper under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). more
New Disinfection Byproducts (DBP) Rule - Your Peers Representing You We learned over the weekend from someone within the federal government that the Biden Administration’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) proposal has been cleared by the White House office that finalizes all rules and should be released any moment. more
National Water Utility Associations Sign Letter to EPA Opposing Inclusion of Cybersecurity in Sanitary Surveys Representatives of the water and wastewater sector have repeatedly raised concerns about the agency’s pursuit of issuing a direct final interpretive rule to add cybersecurity to the sanitary survey assessments, but our concerns have not been addressed. Therefore, we feel compelled to express our opposition to the proposed approach. more
Power of an Association - Improving the CCR Rules This week, the National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC) held two meetings on December 1st and 2nd discussing advice and recommendations for EPA on targeted issues related to revisions to the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) Rule. more
Regulating PFAS in Biosolids Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota officials said their states either have taken actions to address PFAS in biosolids or are preparing strategies in lieu of receiving answers from the federal government reported from the recent Great Lakes PFAS Summit. more
EPA announces series of Science Advisory Board meetings to discuss draft CCL5 On December 7, EPA announced a series of upcoming meetings of the Science Advisory Board’s (SAB) Drinking Water Committee (DWC) to discuss the draft Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List 5 (CCL5) and three associated support documents. more
EPA and Army Publish Proposed WOTUS Rule and Announce Public Meetings EPA and the Army have published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (FR) defining the scope of ‘‘Waters of the United States,” (WOTUS) that are protected under the Clean Water Act. more
Water Associations Send Letter to EPA’s Plan to Use Sanitary Surveys for Cybersecurity On December 9th, several national water and wastewater associations sent a letter (see below) to EPA on the Agency’s plans to leverage sanitary surveys to create a cybersecurity regulatory program. more
Supercritical water oxidation spotlighted for Congress Communities across the US are desperate to rid their environments of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), especially when these chemicals are in their drinking water. more
STATE NEWS
Town Council appoints eight residents to serve on new Strategic Planning Board | Palm Beach Daily News The town's new Strategic Planning Board is in place. At its regular meeting Tuesday, the Town Council approved nominees to fill eight seats on the committee, which has been tasked with developing a new long-range plan for the town. more
Omicron variant suddenly dominant in Orange County wastewater | Florida Politics Yet there have been no cases yet of people testing positive for the omicron variant. more
‘I had a heart attack’: Woman says error led to almost $800 water bill | WFTV A Lady Lake woman says she’s frustrated after receiving a nearly $800 water bill from her local utility provider. more
SJRWMD waves fees to plug abandoned artesian wells | Clay Today The St. Johns River Water Management District has waived any associated fees to plug eligible abandoned artesian wells within the District’s 18-county region. more
Jury: Contractor responsible for massive water main break | Associated Press A jury found a private contractor responsible for leaving nearly a quarter-million people across seven Florida cities without water for days in 2019. more
Daytona Beach under boil water advisory due to broken pipe | WESH In a statement, the city said: "Daytona Beach's precautionary boil water advisory has been rescinded for the majority of the city following the successful completion of bacteriological testing, showing the water is safe to drink." more
North Port City Commission to discuss septic to sewer conversion costs for existing homes | Herald Tribune North Port city commissioners will revisit the concept of expanding wastewater and water services to homes within the city, as well as discuss potential hookup costs, Tuesday, at their last scheduled meeting in 2021. more
Omicron variant detected in Altamonte Springs sewage | WESH Although no hospitals have confirmed cases yet, the Omicron variant is in Central Florida. Altamonte Springs city manager Frank Martz announced on Saturday that the variant was detected in the city's wastewater after a sample was collected on Thursday. more
Family first: Brett Cyphers to leave NWFWMD in early 2022 | Florida Politics Northwest Florida Water Management District Executive Director Brett Cyphers announced Friday that he will be leaving his position early next year to care for his oldest daughter as she goes through cancer treatments. more
Rep. Brian Mast files bill to open up more funding for water quality projects | WPTV Mast says he wants to see taxpayer dollars 'spent in a way that's going to make sure that we have a clean environment'. more
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This Week in Water History |
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Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 |
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December 15, 1989: Cabool, Missouri outbreak of E. coli O157:H7. “Case patients were residents of or visitors to Burdine Township [adjacent to Cabool, Missouri] with bloody diarrhea or diarrhea and abdominal cramps occurring between 15 December 1989 and 20 January 1990…. Among the 243 case patients, 86 had bloody stools, 32 were hospitalized, 4 died, and 2 had the hemolytic uremic syndrome. In the case-control study, no food was associated with illness, but ill persons had drunk more municipal water than had controls (P = 0.04). The survey showed that, during the peak of the outbreak, bloody diarrhea was 18.2 times more likely to occur in persons living inside the city and using municipal water than in persons living outside the city and using private well water (P = 0.001). Shortly before the peak of the outbreak, 45 water meters were replaced, and two water mains ruptured. The number of new cases declined rapidly after residents were ordered to boil water and after chlorination of the water supply. This was the largest outbreak of ECO157 infections [at the time], the first due to a multiply resistant organism, and the first shown to be transmitted by water.”
Commentary: One of the largest outbreaks of waterborne disease in the U.S. in modern times. E. coli O157:H7 was just being recognized as a waterborne pathogen. A significant outbreak in Walkerton, Ontario, Canada in 2000 was caused by the same pathogen.
References: Swerdlow, D.L. et al. 1992. “A waterborne outbreak in Missouri of Escherichia coli O157:H7 associated with bloody diarrhea and death.” Ann Intern Med.117(10):(Nov 15): 812-9.
Geldreich, E.E., et al. 1992. “Searching for a water supply connection in the Cabool, Missouri disease outbreak of Escherichia coli 0157:H7.” Water Research. 26:8 1127-37.
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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