All community and non-transient noncommunity public water systems, regardless of the size of the system, are required to complete the EPA mandated Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) by October 16, 2024, under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (40 CFR 141.84). The water system is required to have documented evidence to prove whether or not every service line on both the utility side and the customer's side of the meter potentially contains lead.

This Inventory requires substantial computer and field work and FRWA is recommending that water systems begin working on it immediately if they haven’t already begun. For the Inventory spreadsheet that must be completed and submitted to FDEP, go to https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-08/Inventory%20Template_FINAL_0.xlsx.

FRWA has been providing funding for completing the inventory on a first come, first serve basis. There is still a very limited amount of funding. If your system has less than 3,300 population, more than 15 connections, and is a non-profit or governmental entity you can be eligible for the funding. You will need to register immediately and submit all required documents while the funds are still available. Unfortunately, the funding has now been committed to the point that we are not able to provide funding for water systems that have more than 3,300 population.

If your system does not meet this criteria, you can apply for Lead Service Line Inventory SRF funding through DEP. The DEP SRF funding provides 49% principal forgiveness (grant) and 51% low interest loans for governmental or non-profit entities.



We want to help you in any way we can to meet this very challenging regulation.  FRWA is available to help you with any questions about the Lead Service Line Inventory requirements or the DEP SRF funding. You can reach out to us through our email: LSLI@FRWA.net or calling our office: (850) 668-2746.

DEP Announces Funding Opportunity for

Lead Service Line Inventories and Replacement Projects

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Water Restoration Assistance (DWRA) is currently accepting proposals for Lead Service Line Inventories and Replacement Projects to identify and eliminate any lead service lines that may be present in Florida. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided Florida's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for these projects.

All drinking water facilities in the nation are currently participating in a comprehensive survey coordinated by EPA to identify any lead service lines, with an expected completion date of October 2024. Eligible entities may apply for funding to complete this survey and, if necessary, the Lead Service Line Replacement Plan to complete the inventory and the design, bidding and replacement of any identified lead service lines between the water main and the point of entry.

Interested eligible entities should complete a Request for Inclusion by 5 p.m. EDT, July 26, 2024, to be considered. EPA has developed a Frequently Asked Questions webpage to help applicants understand eligibility requirements for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law State Revolving Funds.

Applications will be accepted electronically at SRFRFI@FloridaDEP.gov. Hard copies will also be accepted, though electronic submittal is encouraged. To submit a hard copy, call Eric Meyers at 850-245-2969 for the correct mailing address.

For questions or further information, email a DWSRF project manager.

Learn more about DWRA's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding sources and allotments.

The Association employs three wastewater professionals to provide technical assistance services to your wastewater system. These technicians assist with troubleshooting, consulting, and correcting wastewater treatment, collections, and disposal concerns. FRWA maintains an extensive inventor. These include wastewater diagnostics, testing, and troubleshooting equipment which is available to our members either by loan or use by FRWA Wastewater Professionals at your system. We also offere video camera inspection system for collection lines, smoke blowers, flow and meter testing devices, lab and testing equipment, computers, and computer diagnostic software, etc. The Association’s Wastewaterpersonnel and equipment can save your system thousands of dollars.

If you need help with your wastewater system, please contact FRWA at Admin@frwa.net or call us up at 850.668.2746 and we will be happy to connect you with the representative in your area.

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NATIONAL NEWS

New NRWA Program Achieves Milestone Success Decentralized Wastewater Training and Technical Assistance program impacts over 2 million people in inaugural year.  more

State water systems grapple with high cost of PFAS compliance standards The Biden administration is providing funding to help water systems meet PFAS regulations. But will it be enough?  more

US industry groups sue to block 'forever chemical' drinking-water rule | Reuters U.S. manufacturing and chemical industry groups have filed a lawsuit seeking to block a federal rule announced this year setting the first-ever drinking water standard to protect people against toxic "forever chemicals."  more

Experts warn of billion-dollar septic problem threatening US South: 'These are ticking time... Rising seas are causing septic systems across the South to fail, leading to public health concerns and costly repairs for homeowners.  more

Phone Scammers Impersonating CISA Employees Impersonation scams are on the rise and often use the names and titles of government employees.  more

People in 4 States Told to Change Drinking Water Habits - Newsweek National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists say that people in four states should change their drinking water habits as excessive heat grips the U.S. Southwest on Tuesday.  more

Summer Droughts In Northern Hemisphere Increasingly Likely As Seasonal Streamflows Change Declining snowfall is changing the seasonal patterns of streamflow throughout the Northern hemisphere boosting chances of water shortages in the summer, scientists have found.  more

State of the Water Industry 2024: Source water protection takes center stage Protecting drinking water at its source has become the water sector's top priority, according to the American Water Works Association's (AWWA) 2024 State of the Water Industry (SOTWI) report.  more

Atlanta's Water Crisis Reveals Problems With Infrastructure - Governing Magazine Watershed Management is a massive agency, handling more than $700 million of revenue last year alone.  more

ASDWA 50TH SDWA ANNIVERSARY VIDEO SERIES FEATURING Shellie Chard of Oklahoma ASDWA is excited to drop the next installment of our continuing video series in partnership with Travis Loop from waterloop, highlighting success stories from the past 50 years of implementing the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).  more

EPA and Puerto Rico Authorities Announce Funding to Enhance Bayamon's Wastewater ...  In a significant investment to improve water infrastructure in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), alongside local authorities, announced funding to begin a major upgrade project at the Bayamon Wastewater Treatment Plant.  more

Informal Water Contracts Could Provide Quicker, Cheaper Ways To Reduce Impact Of Droughts Droughts continue to overburden the systems and infrastructure that bring water to citizens and businesses.  more

Walton Family Foundation Announces Radhika Fox As New Environment Fellow Fox was appointed by President Biden and confirmed with robust bipartisan support by the Senate.  more

STATE NEWS

Lake Pan residents outraged at $40000 per household septic conversion - Villages-News Some Lake Panasoffkee residents are pushing back against a project to replace septic tanks with municipal sewers.  more

Environmental advocates in Tampa Bay continue push to stop fertilizer use during summer months | ABC Action News  When you are Executive Director of a group called Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, it’s no surprise you are worried about what goes in our waterways from storm drains.  more

New Longboat Key ordinance enables more resilient construction | Your Observer In response to new FEMA flood maps, town commissioners approve a measure to allow for additional freeboard in low-lying areas of Longboat Key.  more

EPA is asked to set blue-green algae toxin standards for Florida Florida’s lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries have some of the nation’s worst toxic algae blooms, which can threaten the health of people and wildlife, while costing local economies hundreds of millions of dollars.   more

RU board fires manager, appoints resigning member to interim position The Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority board fired General Manager Tony Cunningham Wednesday night, with authority Chair Ed Bielarski subsequently resigning from the board and being named interim general manager. Bielarski is the sixth GRU Authority member to resign in the past year, as four previous members of the board left their positions over a lawsuit filed by a local citizens group.  more

Is wet weather in South Florida impacting Lake Okeechobee water levels? | WPTV  'We'll see some rise in Lake Okeechobee, but not too much and not too significant,' Mark Perry says.  more

County looking at wastewater system in Panasoffkee - Mid Florida Newspapers The Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) provided a study on a Lake Panasoffkee Wastewater Facilities plan, after Sumter County commissioners expressed an interest in the Board providing support to provide sewer service to Lake Panasoffkee, according to County Administrator Bradley Arnold.  more

Preparing for rain and flooding in Cape Coral | WINK The City of Cape Coral, an area known to struggle with heavy rainfall, said it has one of the best stormwater management systems in the state.  more

Individual License Search - Florida Department of Environmental Protection Want to find out how many CEUs you have? Just enter your name or license number to get instant information.  more

Florida City Suffering Drinking Water Shortage - Newsweek West Palm Beach is now pumping water from underground wells to help with its declining drinking-water supply.  more

Florida Blames the EPA for High Lead Pipe Estimates | WFSU  A federal environmental official said unverified data was used to distribute money to states to replace lead pipes, and an advocate thinks Florida's numbers were likely inflated.  more

SFWMD Seeks Public Input on Draft 2024 Sea Level Rise and Flood Resiliency Plan | Lake Okeechobee News The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is actively addressing the impacts of rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and changing rainfall and flood patterns.  more

Speaker Renner: Clean Water Flows from Florida’s Environmental Budget | Orlando Sentinal Families, workers, and businesses are drawn to our great state by the promise of freedom and the opportunity of a thriving economy.  more

Seminole County offers low-flow toilet replacement rebates for some water customers Some Seminole County residents are being offered up to $200 dollars to reduce their water consumption.  more

Apalachicola Riverkeeper challenges DEP plan to permit oil drilling in North Florida The Apalachicola Riverkeeper is mounting a legal challenge to try to stop the latest effort to drill for oil in environmentally sensitive North Florida.  more

Commentary: Recent legislation strengthens Florida’s leadership in flood resilience | Orlando Sentinel Florida communities are on the front lines of flooding and sea level rise. As storms increase in frequency and severity every year, these communities are more and more vulnerable to disasters.  more

Study estimates lithium in groundwater used for drinking water | South Central Florida Life The first national estimates of naturally occurring lithium in groundwater that can be used for drinking water were recently published by the U.S. Geological Survey.  more

June 9, 2013 Celebration of Centennial of Activated Sludge Process. “On June 9-11, the Water Environment Federation convened the forum, “Activated Sludge on its 100th Birthday: Challenges and Opportunities.” The event was held at Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the first patent of the activated sludge process near Boston. The Activated Sludge process is still the heart of modern wastewater treatment systems around the globe and was a sea-change in the burgeoning field of wastewater treatment, permitting wastewater treatment to occur in a much smaller footprint, saving space and treatment time while protecting public and environmental health. In the past 100 years, the process has been updated, modified, and augmented, to improve treatment, remove nutrients, and do so more efficiently. However, more stringent demands and resources challenges are necessitating another look at the process that has been the backbone of modern sanitation infrastructure.”

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

2970 Wellington Circle | Tallahassee FL 32309

850.668.2746 | Contact Us