The Florida Rural Water Association will be closed on Monday, September 2nd in observance of Labor Day. If you have an emergency, please leave a message on our voice mail or email frwa@frwa.net.

FRWA truly appreciates your hard work and dedication to our industry.

Have a safe and relaxing Labor Day weekend!

The Board and Staff

of the

Florida Rural Water Association

Our Annual Conference has come and gone, and this year's was a BIG success! In fact, it was the largest conference we've had yet, with over 900 attendees and the most exhibitor booths ever. From all the classes and help sessions to each of the activities, this conference will always be one to remember. This year we also added something new - a walkthrough of the Exhibit Hall on Monday that offered extra CEU's as well as some wonderful interaction with our amazing exhibitors. We are so thankful for everyone who came and made this conference so memorable, and especially for the Daytona Beach Hilton for such an incredible atmosphere. We also want to thank Daytona Grande Oceanfront Hotel for helping us with extra rooms to allow so many of you to come. 

If you could not make it this year or you just want to look back on the memories, click on the graphic below for a complete review.

This year was filled with winners, from the games outside of the Exhibit Hall to the FRWA Annual Award Winners for 2024. Click on the buttons below as we salute the best of the best!

Thanks to each and everyone that made this Conference a great success! See you next year!

10:30 AM EDT Friday, August 30, 2024

A Tropical Wave Over the Central Tropical Atlantic Could Develop Into a Tropical Depression Next Week (40%); Another Tropical Wave In the Eastern Tropical Atlantic Is Producing Minimal Shower and Thunderstorm Activity (20%)

Click here for up to date information.

NATIONAL NEWS

Engineers develop all-in-one solution to catch and destroy "forever chemicals"Chemical engineers from UBC’s Faculty of Applied Science have developed a new treatment that traps and treats PFAS substances—widely known as “forever chemicals”—in a single, integrated system. more

How to Prepare Your Wastewater Utility for Disasters-Join EPA for a free webinar on how to prepare your wastewater utility for disasters! more

Water Resilience Updates from the U.S. EPA's Water Infrastructure and Cyber Resilience Division (WICRD) WICRD collaborated with EPA's Office of Research and Development to develop Power Resilience: An Achievable Goal. more

Updated Small System Risk and Resilience Assessment Checklist In July 2024, WICRD published an updated version of its Small System Risk and Resilience Assessment (RRA) Checklist. more

EPA Awards Nearly $1.5 Million to Clarkson University to Develop and Demonstrate Technology to Detect and Degrade PFAS WASHINGTON – Today, August 27, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing $1,499,979 in research funding to Clarkson University to develop and demonstrate nanosensor technology to detect, monitor and degrade PFAS in groundwater and surface water that may be used as drinking water sources. more

Power Outages at Water and Wastewater Plants Pose Health and Environmental Risks. How Microgrids Can Help With increasing numbers of storms knocking out power to water and wastewater plants, operators of these facilities are turning to microgrids to help protect the environment and citizens’ health. more

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $3.48 Million for Tribes to Build Environmental Protection Capacity EPA is seeking applications to support land restoration and emergency management Tribal programs more

Fluoride at twice the recommended limit linked to lower IQ in kids, an HHS report says

A U.S. government report expected to stir debate concluded that fluoride in drinking water at twice the recommended limit is linked with lower IQ in children. more

Report reveals major problem at more than 200 US military bases: Hundreds more [communities] are likely at risk A new report from the Department of Defense has revealed that at least 245 military bases in the United States have been leaching toxic chemicals into the drinking water of nearby communities, putting an unknown number of people at risk. more

Research Shows Reducing Future Global Flooding Hinges On Cutting Greenhouse Gas Emissions Pioneering research forecasts worldwide flooding is likely to be significantly worse in future decades if countries fail to meet official pledges to cut carbon emissions. more

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $26M In Grants To Protect Children From Lead In Drinking Water At Schools and Childcare Facilities Today, August 22, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $26M in funding to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. more

Deadline for Workforce Survey Fast Approaching! more

Impact in Action Sargeant, Minnesota is home to 70 residents and relies on an over 100-year-old pressure tank. While the tank has faithfully served the community, it is now failing.

more

STATE NEWS

On Wednesday, Sanford city commissioners unanimously agreed to hire an Orlando law firm to pursue litigation against companies that may have polluted the city's drinking water.  Sanford City leaders plan legal action over pollutant in drinking water. more

ECUA Approves Water, Sewer and Sanitation Rate Increases The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority on Tuesday approved rate increases for water, wastewater and sanitation customers. more

Like an MRI for Wastewater Webinar-How Dark Water Visibility informs and Empowers Water Professionals

more

Navigating the complexities of discharge regulations in industrial water/wastewater

Peter Rundell of Microbac Laboratories shares his insights on how companies can effectively navigate discharge regulations, keep up with changing standards and ensure their operations meet all necessary compliance requirements. more

SFWMD makes it easy to access real-time data Have you ever wondered how much rain recently fell in your community? Or if the gates on a nearby canal are open? more

Florida to reopen Pasco scallop season Wednesday after closure causes by unsafe toxins

The popular scalloping area was closed in late July after officials detected a potentially harmful toxin level. more

Water in Florida — A Vital Resource, A Potential Hazard and A Unique Opportunity

Water in Florida is a top concern for communities and agencies alike more

Firefighters Learn Water Supply Tactics, Even Without A Hydrant Nearby Escambia County Fire Rescue (ECFR) crews from Molino, Beulah, and Myrtle Grove recently participated in a joint training exercise focused on water supply and drafting operations. more

$188 Million WIFIA Loan to Upgrade, Expand Water Services in Central Florida Central Florida Congressman Darren Soto was recently joined by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water Mae Wu in announcing a $188.3 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan to the Toho Water Authority. more

New Fort Pierce water treatment plant finally underway. Will taxpayers be on the hook?

The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority says as they continue to gather grants for a new wastewater treatment facility, they won't go back to the taxpayers for more cash. more

Hurricane center ups odds for Caribbean-bound system to develop A tropical depression could form by early next week as a disturbance moves west across the Atlantic, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center. more

‘Improved reliability and resiliency’: Tallahassee upgrades pump stations to help prevent sewage spills TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - The City of Tallahassee is making some upgrades to help prevent sewage spills during power outages. more

August 23, 1911: Municipal Journal article. Water Tanks Cause of Impure Water “Chicago, Ill.-Flat dwellers who patronize Lake Michigan for drinking purposes can get a certificate of quality from the City Health Department. Health Commissioner Young declared that any samples brought to the department drawn from faucets in apartment houses will be tested, and if found to be impure orders will be given to the owners of the buildings to cleanse the tanks on the roofs from which the supply is drawn. Much of the danger from drinking water comes from the neglect of the owners of apartment houses to keep these tanks properly cleaned. The regulations of the Health Department require that these tanks be covered and sufficiently protected to keep cats or other animals from wandering into them. In many of them, however, moss and other vegetable matter accumulates. In practically all buildings more than two stories in height tanks are necessary in order to supply water to the upper floors.”

Commentary: In Chicago during this period, algae growing in elevated water tanks was the least of a resident’s problems. It was not until the year of this article (1911) that Chicago began installing chlorination stations on the pumping facilities from Lake Michigan. Prior to this, death from severe typhoid fever epidemics killed many tens of thousands over the decades of the city serving contaminated water. Filtration was not installed until 1947.

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

2970 Wellington Circle | Tallahassee FL 32309

850.668.2746 | Contact Us