As 2024 comes to a close, the Board and Staff of Florida Rural Water Association wants to express our sincere appreciation for your support. May you and yours have a most Blessed New Year.

The FRWA office will be closed Wednesday, January, 1st, 2025 for New Years Day. If you need assistance, please email us at frwa@frwa.net.

2024 was a record breaking year, from the disaster of two hurricanes in two weeks to the biggest Annual Conference in FRWA history.

The year began with tornadoes touching down in the Panhandle in January and had an encore in May. FRWA personnel got their first taste of a busy year for emergency response as they worked into the night restoring water to damaged facilities and continued to monitor the situation until normal power was restored.

Lead Service Line Inventory was a major topic that spanned the entire year. FRWA began mailing out brochures, emailing, and publishing announcements in eNews to inform the utilities of the EPA requirement with a deadline of October 16th, 2024. 

FRWA continues to offer assistance to those that did not meet this deadline.

Registration was opened in January for the annual Focus on Change Series that was held in March and April. For over thirty years, FRWA has partnered with the Department of Environmental Protection to host classes throughout the state to inform operators of changes to regulations that may affect their systems. In 2024 we had the largest in history with over 1500 attendees.



In February, representatives from the Florida Rural Water Association visited Washington DC to attend the Rural Water Rally sponsored by the National Rural Water Association. FRWA scheduled meetings with Representatives, Senators and their staff, so that we can share the Rural Water success story, answer questions and build important relationships.

In May, the Florida Rural Water Association was pleased to announce the appointment of Alicia Keeter to the position of Executive Director of Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA). She worked alongside Gary Williams, until Mr. William’s retirement in October. Prior to this appointment Ms. Keeter served as General Manager of South Walton Utility, located in Miramar Beach, Florida.

We lost two FRWA heros in 2024. In May, Mr. William (Bill) Grubbs, FRWA's longest serving board member, passed away. Bill served on the FRWA Board for forty-two years. He worked until his retirement with Talquin Electric Cooperative. It was one of the original incorporating systems of FRWA in 1979. Bill was very business minded, service oriented, and a mentor to all FRWA Board Members and Staff. Mr. Grubbs is greatly missed.

We said our goodbyes to another FRWA and FlaWARN hero, Carol Hinton, who left us on July 30th. Carol was loved by so many in our water and wastewater family around the state, and she provided invaluable help and knowledge to us and our members. Before she retired in 2021, Carol served as the Director of the University of Florida TREEO Center. One of her passions was working with FlaWARN to provide essential aid for water systems around Florida during disasters and crisis, and that passion carried on after her retirement when she joined with us to continue working with FlaWARN. Carol's dedication to the systems of Florida is greatly missed.

This year's FRWA Annual Conference was held at the end of July and was a BIG success! In fact, it was the largest conference we've had yet, with over 800 attendees and a record sell out for exhibitors. From all the classes and help sessions, to each of the activities, this conference will be one to remember. This year we added something new - a walkthrough of the Exhibit Hall on Monday that offered extra CEUs 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. 

In September, FRWA was recognized by a host of our peers as having Outstanding Technical Assistance to you our members. The award was presented at the National Rural Water Association WaterPro Conference in Savannah Georgia. FRWA feels this award is the most coveted award that Rural Waters receive as it recognizes our efforts in assisting those that keep the water safe to drink throughout the state.

After a quiet summer, Hurricane Season hit us with a 1-2-3 punch as Debby roared across the Panhandle in early August as a category 1 hurricane and headed north. FRWA was there to help systems affected by the storm. Late September brought us Helene and while staff was still on the ground-assisting those affected by Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton slammed the west coast. The FlaWarn steering committee was in full force with two meetings daily for weeks. Our FlaWARN steering committee members go the extra mile to help systems across Florida. Give them a 21 fire hydrant salute for their dedication to utilities helping utilities across the state; Friends helping Friends is what is at the heart of our industry.

Gary Williams, the FRWA Executive Director for thirty-five years retired in November. Gary came to FRWA from Iowa Rural Water Association in 1989 where he served as Program Manager.  Under Gary’s guidance, FRWA grew to the largest Rural Water in the United States with over 2500 members. For all that Gary has done, he never wanted or expected a pat on the back or recognition. Gary does not care for fanfare or accolades. If you google "Gary Williams" you will find an outdated photo and an FRWA logo. Gary’s greatest joy was helping the water and wastewater systems around the state of Florida. Gary’s heart beat Rural Water. His dedication to the underground utilities of Florida was rooted deep. Although he has retired from FRWA, his influence on not only Florida utilities but on fellow Rural Waters nationwide, he will always be remembered for his heart for Rural Water.

As FRWA enters 2025, let us focus on ways that we can make our systems stronger, more resilient and don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments.

We all know, it’s WATER that supports life.

                  The FRWA family wishes you a healthy and prosperous NEW YEAR!

NATIONAL NEWS

In search of the bacteria capable of eating forever chemicals-At the crossroads of chemistry, biology, physics and engineering, a Strasbourg-based team is examining contaminated soil samples in an attempt to identify a micro-organism that has adapted to PFAS and may have developed enzymes capable of degrading them. more

EPA and US DOE Announce $850 Million Grant to Reduce Methane Pollution in Oil and gas Sector-The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA and the US Department of Energy (DOE) announced approximately $850 million for 43 selected projects to reduce, monitor, and measure methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. more

Electrochemical device developed at UIUC offers sustainable solution for PFAS removal-

A class of synthetic chemicals, commonly referred to as PFAS, have raised concerns because of their link to cancers and other illnesses and their environmental persistence. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign scientists are working on developing new approaches to removing these “forever chemicals” from the environment. more

EPA administrator Michael Regan to leave office Dec. 31-Michael Regan, who championed environmental justice as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, will leave the agency Dec. 31, three weeks before the end of President Joe Biden’s term. more

EPA’s latest measure would up power costs-The Obama administration’s plan to curb greenhouse gas emissions would likely close numerous power plants in Texas, dramatically reducing the state’s ability to provide affordable electricity, power suppliers said last week. more

Cities, states say they’ll need more help to replace millions of lead pipes-A new federal rule will require water utilities across the country to pull millions of lead drinking water pipes out of the ground and replace them, at a cost of billions of dollars. more

Scientists achieve major milestone in battle against 'forever' toxins: 'The world is belatedly starting to act'-Two new papers published in Nature describe a potentially game-changing scientific discovery: an efficient way to break down "forever chemicals" in what is being called "a major step forward." more

EPA Releases Water Affordability Needs Assessment-Between 12.1 million and 19.2 million U.S. households lack access to affordable water services. more

STATE NEWS

In Florida, a race is on to save the Everglades and protect a key source of drinking water-Once about twice the size of New Jersey, today only half of the Everglades remains. more

Red tide detected in Cape Haze water samples near Charlotte Harbor-A concentration of red tide has been detected around Charlotte County, with beaches like Cape Haze being under a health alert due to the algae bloom. more

Wave Attenuation Device Installation Underway at Max Brewer Memorial Parkway, Will Curb Erosion in Titusville- Construction crews have started installing massive concrete pyramids along the Indian River Lagoon to curb the relentless waves that have eroded the Max Brewer Memorial Parkway in Titusville over the years. more

Apply now for funding to protect and enhance Florida’s water resources-The St. Johns River Water Management District is now accepting applications on behalf of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for the 2026 Cost-Share Program.  more

Green Tech Accelerator: Tackling Water Resource Challenges and Unlocking Renewable Energy Opportunities-Green Tech Accelerator collaborates with startups, offering courses, mentorship, and international market strategies to implement and validate carbon reduction solutions. more

Residents needed to shape future of land conservation-The county is inviting residents to consider applying for a committee that will play a major role in land conservation. more

Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program earns national designation-The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act on Dec. 9.

more

JEA lifts boil water advisory for Nocatee residents-JEA lifted a boil water advisory at 6:40 a.m. Monday for Nocatee customers east of U.S. 1 (excluding Austin Park, Woodland Park, Walden Chase, and Greenleaf Communities. more

Duval County benefits from $317M Florida conservation investment-On Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved a $317 million investment to protect Florida’s critical lands, and Duval County is among those to benefit. more

Fort Lauderdale unveils new pump system built in wake of devastating 2023 floods-City officials assert that the updated stormwater systems will help protect properties during future storms in the River Oaks and Edgewood neighborhoods. more

Manatee County Announces New Appointments to Utilities Department Leadership-This week, the Manatee County Government announced the new appointees to leadership positions within the Utilities Department. more

Lady Lake dramatically increases wastewater treatment capacity with new plant-Mayor Pro Tem Treva Roberts this week toured Lady Lake’s new wastewater treatment plant alongside Town Manager Bill Lawrence, Public Works Director C.T. Eagle, and Utilities Supervisor Butch Goodman. more

Florida's Apalachicola River Basin is facing a fight over oil drilling-An administrative law judge is considering allowing a permit to drill for oil in Northwest Florida’s Apalachicola River Basin. more

Space industry straining wastewater facilities in Brevard-A massive development called "Project Hinton" was just approved during a special Space Florida Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday.  more

County may allow some leeway on sewer hookups for large lots-Okeechobee County Commissioners agreed to allow homeowners with 10 acres or more some leeway in hooking up to the sewer lines going in north of the city limits. more

December 23, 1791: James Peacock, a London architect of note in his day, was granted the first British patent on a process and apparatus for water filtration (December 23, 1791, No. 1,841). In 1793. Peacock published a promotion pamphlet setting forth the need for filtration and the principles that should guide the choice, preparation and placing of filtering media, showing sketches of filters of different sizes and design. It includes a diagram showing superimposed spheres of diminishing size, illustrating a mathematical exposition of the reasons why coarse filtering material should be placed at the bottom of a filter with layers of material of regularly decreasing size above it. Peacock's exposition brings to mind the Wheeler filter bottom designed more than a century afterwards. No such thesis had appeared before Peacock's day and none surpassing it has appeared since

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