Unknown- When you first see this word it generates a response of uncertainty, apprehension and leaves you feeling uneasy. With the new lead service line inventory initiative by EPA we understand that Unknown will be a word you will have to use in mailouts to your customers about their water service lines.  We at FRWA want to help you get the message out to those that need it and not create panic in a world where uncertainty, change and unknown factors contribute to unnecessary fear and doubt in our most precious resource.

Facts to report:

The Lead Service Line Inventory deadline was October 16. Good news! The most recent data received by FRWA was that only 0.09% of the Florida lines reported were determined to be lead. Other news, 23% of the lines reported, over 1 million, were listed as “Unknown”.  For every “Unknown” line, the PWS must send a letter to the customer no later than November 16 explaining the “Unknown” status and that it is not known if the line contains lead.  

For a clear message to the customer, FRWA has posted a sample Customer Unknown Service Line letter on the Lead Service Line Inventory page of our website FRWA.net that you can access by clicking here. This letter can also be used as an information source for Customer calls and City Commission meetings. Customers can be assured of the very small percentage of lead lines that have been found in Florida and the good results the PWS has had through lead and copper sampling.  The information in the letter also helps customers know how to confirm for themselves the material of their service line.  

Rather than a reason for alarm and panic, interaction with customers through the “Unknown” service line notification can be an opportunity to connect and educate customers on the high quality of water they are provided, the excellent results Florida has had in making an inventory of service lines, and the PWSs continuing commitment to serve them and their families with the healthiest water available. 

10:30 AM EDT | Friday, November 15, 2024

Tropical Storm Sara

Sara Slowing Down Between the Bay Islands and Northern Mainland of Honduras As It Continues Westward

-A low pressure system developing over the Plains will move eastward, pulling a strong cold front through Florida around mid next week.

-Although Tropical Storm Sara in not expected to survive its trek across the Yucatan Peninsula, a plume of enhanced moisture/remnants of Sara are likely to be drawn northward across the Gulf of Mexico ahead of this approaching cold front, bringing the potential for heavy rainfall resulting in flooding for portions of the Central Gulf Coast and extending eastward to portions of Florida.

-While there is currently no severe weather outlooked issued for next week, isolated severe thunderstorms may be possible across parts of Florida Tuesday and Wednesday.

NATIONAL NEWS

Michigan’s PFAS drinking-water limits hang in balance of Supreme Court case-The Michigan Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case that could decide whether Michigan’s PFAS drinking-water standards remain in place. more

New FEMA policy change could make affording flood insurance easier-Last week, FEMA made a policy change to it's National Flood Insurance Program that could make affording flood insurance easier for many Floridians. more

Why the largest lakes in the US are essential to the economy and environment-Boatzon looked at the economic and environmental importance of the 10 largest lakes in the U.S. Lake sizes and locations are based on Census data. more

NRWA Registered Apprenticeship and the Rural Water Workforce-Thu, Nov 21, 2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST-Register more

Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Made Simple-Thu, Dec 5, 2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST

Register- more

EPA Releases Proposed Plan for Motorola 52nd Street Superfund Cleanup in Phoenix- In a significant milestone for this Superfund cleanup, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a proposed plan to address contaminants in the groundwater at the Motorola, Inc. 52nd Street Superfund site. more

New Technique Can Capture and "Destroy" PFAS in Water-A new study is the first to describe an electrochemical strategy to capture, concentrate and destroy mixtures of PFAS. more

EPA Finalizes Solvent 1,4-Dioxane TSCA Risk Evaluation-Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final supplement to the risk evaluation and final risk determination for the solvent 1,4-dioxane under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). more

Drinking Water Recall as FDA Sets Risk Level-Bottles of drinking water have been recalled as they may contain dangerous bacteria. more

STATE NEWS

AFBF seeks farmer protection from PFAS contaminations-A leader with the American Farm Bureau Federation says farmers shouldn’t be held liable for any contamination of PFAS chemicals in their fields. more

Florida mayor announces lawsuit targeted at water supply concerns-Mayor Keith James believes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated a long-standing clause that now puts that supply at risk.Video more

Florida FY 2024-25 Budget Summary: Natural Resources, Environment, Growth Management, and Transportation-In a disaster-prone state like Florida, investment in environmental conservation efforts and updated state infrastructure is of utmost importance. more

Cape Canaveral seeks funding for infrastructure upgrades to support more launches-Cape Canaveral Space Force Station aims to increase the number of rocket launches but requires substantial funding to upgrade its infrastructure. more

Rising Water: All one water-So far in our podcast, Central Florida Seen & Heard: Rising Water Part Two, we’ve explored how Florida’s land and water are interconnected. more

'Come up with real solutions': Palm Coast drainage committee suggests offering surplus dirt to aid residents with drainage problems-Palm Coast could use repurposed dirt to help city residents struggling with struggling with drainage issues. more

Sanibel eyes new hurricane protections amid recovery-It should come as no surprise that parts of Southwest Florida, especially Sanibel Island, have a long way to go in their recovery from this year’s hurricanes. more

Tropical Storm Sara's Threat to Florida Greatly Diminished: What to Know-Tropical Storm Sara is no longer expected to pose a serious threat to Florida. more

EPA ORD Small Drinking Water Systems Webinar - Lead Reduction Updates and Lead Service Line Identification and Replacement-Date & Time Dec 3, 2024 01:00 PM EST. more

Naples fluoride debate heats up as City Council mulls removing it from water supply-Naples City Council took a first step Wednesday toward potentially ending the use of fluoride in the city’s public drinking water. more

Margate, Florida residents approve $120 million bond for water and wastewater upgrades-

Margate, Florida, residents voted to approve a $120 million bond for water and wastewater on the November 5, 2024, ballot.

Public invited to participate in Lake O study-Lake O area anglers, officials and longtime residents know the lake’s ecology is suffering. more

Flagler Beach Prepares to Raise Water, Sewer, Trash and Stormwater Rates by $8.76 a Month-The Flagler Beach City Commission on Nov. 14 is expected to vote on a series of utility-rate increases for water, sewer, stormwater and trash services that would increase the bill on a residential household by $8.76 per month, or $105 for the year. more

Daytona Beach trying to replace decades-old lift stations to help raw sewage issues-

When heavy rain hits Daytona Beach, flooding is inevitable. Bruce McMayden said raw sewage backing up into and around his home had been an issue for the last two years during hurricanes and downpours.

more

City of Melbourne Working on Comprehensive Inventory of Water Distribution Network-The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its final Lead and Copper Rule revisions, intended to reduce the risk of lead exposure by identifying lead service lines and expediting their removal from drinking water systems nationwide. more

Homeowners seek answers on new FEMA flood maps in Jupiter-With new FEMA flood maps taking effect in December, thousands will have to purchase flood insurance. more

Fernandina Beach launches flood risk portal to help community access important information-Fernandina Beach launches flood risk portal to help community access important information. more

November 13, 2003: New York Times headline-Appreciations, Death of a Sewer Worker. "New York is a mythic place, and one of the most mythic parts of it is the part that nobody ever sees: the sewers. Alligators and giant rats barely begin to sum up the state of our fears about the sewers, when we acknowledge those fears at all. So it's worth remembering how great a joke it is that the New York city sewers should also contain Ed Norton, played on "The Honeymooners" by Art Carney, who died on Sunday at 85."

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

2970 Wellington Circle | Tallahassee FL 32309

850.668.2746 | Contact Us