Please contact your House delegate ASAP to request co-sponsorship of H.R. 7944 – Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act. This bill ensures that you will not be unfairly burdened with the financial costs of PFAS cleanup.

In March 2024, Rural Water sent 83 letters to U.S. Senate leadership from state rural water associations and our members, representing over 11,000 rural water and wastewater systems, requesting a narrowly tailored legislative exemption from CERCLA liability for releases of PFAS. This impressive advocacy was well received by the Senate EPW Committee. Now, we need to make our case to the U.S. House of Representatives.

How will this bill affect the small water and wastewater systems of Florida?

Here are a few facts that you need to be aware of:

• The vast majority of public water and wastewater treatment systems affected by any future federal action for PFAS will be communities with populations of 10,000 or less.
• In rural communities, with a higher percentage of people living at or near the poverty rate than our unban counterparts, any rate increase is unaffordable for many residents.
• Financially strapped water utilities would be forced to develop alternative payment plans for increasing numbers of distressed customers.
• Unfortunately, many low and fixed-income households would need to choose to pay their water bill using funds that would have previously been used for food, medicine, or other necessities.
• Rural Water emphasizes the significant financial burden that testing, treatment, and disposal costs related to PFAS contamination place on our membership.
• EPA designated PFAS as a “hazardous substance” under CERCLA, and the expenses incurred by small and rural water utilities will be massive including: biosolids management, disposal of PFAS-laden media, legal fees, fines, and potential cleanup costs.
• Our water systems cannot absorb these costs. 
• Local governments’ water and wastewater utilities are not “producers” or users of PFAS, and none of these essential public service providers utilize or profit from PFAS chemicals.
• We are passive receivers saddled with the responsibility of managing traces of PFAS coming into our systems.
• Communities impacted by PFAS contamination need assistance in various forms, including funding for treatment, monitoring, on-site technical assistance for immediate response, credible public health information, emergency access to safe drinking water, and compensation from responsible parties for remediation, treatment, and provision of alternative sources of safe drinking water.
• A CERCLA exemption is needed to avoid frivolous lawsuits- please cosponsor H.R. 7944 !
• Without liability protections for water and wastewater systems, CERCLA’s integral “polluter pays” model risks becoming a “public pays” model- the epitome of economic and environmental injustice.

How can you help?

Contact your house delegate ASAP to request co-sponsorship of H.R. 7944 – Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act. Click here for a sample template from a utility perspective that you can put on your letterhead and mail.

You can also look up your representative by clicking here, enter your zip code, and click on CONTACT on their website. You will then see a form that you can copy and paste the information into a text box.

Thank you for your efforts in supporting the systems of Florida to not be unfairly burdened with the financial costs of PFAS cleanup.

The Florida Rural Water Association is happy to announce that we have added two additional online training courses to our online courses provided through SunCoast Learning Systems. Our online courses are a great way to earn your CEUs before the upcoming deadline on April 30th 2025. You can complete the course at your leisure without missing work or having to pay unnecessary travel expenses.

Please see details of the new courses below and be sure to check out the rest of our online courses by clicking here.

Wastewater Fundamentals

Course Description

This course offers a quick overview of wastewater treatment, covering essential topics such as collections systems, preliminary and primary treatment processes, secondary treatment, and disinfection methods. Participants will also learn about various wastewater testing methods, providing a complete understanding of how to manage and treat wastewater effectively.

Overall objectives:

1. Wastewater Vocabulary: Recognize and define key terms related

to wastewater treatment and collection.

2. Preliminary and Primary Treatment: Identify and describe the equipment and techniques used in preliminary and primary wastewater treatment.

3. Secondary Treatment: Calculate sludge parameters, and explain the role of bacterial floc in achieving effective wastewater treatment.

4. Disinfection: List common disinfection methods and explain their significance in wastewater treatment.

5. Wastewater Testing Methods: Identify and apply testing methods to monitor process controls and perform accurate calculations for

wastewater treatment.

Click here for more information.

The Lead and Copper Rule Revisions:

A Comprehensive Guide

Course Description

The original Lead and Copper rule was first released in 1991 as a corrosion control regulation. The rule has undergone some minor revisions, but in 2021, EPA completely revised the rule, making it more of a public health protection rule. The new Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, also known as LCRR, is the most complex regulation EPA has ever created in the history of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The rule does not go into effect until October 2024, but utilities need to understand the rule today, in order to be fully prepared. This is a one-stop course that focuses on all the major aspects of the rule, along with breaking down and understanding published guidance manuals that have been developed to help utilities maintain compliance. Some key focuses in this stand-alone training course are as follows: how to do a service line inventory, how to conduct a find and fix investigation, how to sample in schools and daycares, and when to provide public education. All you will need to know regarding the LCRR can be found in this course.

Course objectives:

1. Identify the key components of the new Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.

2. Determine the correct procedures for achieving compliance with the new Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.

3. Select the appropriate methods for implementing the key requirements of the new Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.

Click here for more information.

The Group Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) are holding in person public meetings. Presentations will focus on the upcoming BMAP updates, including, but not limited to, topics on responsible entity requirements and BMAP update next steps.

For more information, click on the blue links below:

Wacissa Spring|10/07/24|2 pm EDT (more information at a later date)

Jackson Blue Spring and Merritts Mill Pond|09/26/2024|10:00 CDT

DeLeon Spring, Gemini Springs and Volusia Blue Spring|09/25/24|10 am EDT

Upper Wakulla River and Wakulla Spring|09/23/24|10 am EDT

Please contact Sam Hankinson or call 850-245-8086 with any questions.

12:30 PM EDT | Thursday, September 19, 2024

Monitoring the Northwest Caribbean Sea (40%)

Remnants of Gordon (30%) & Central Subtropical Atlantic (20%)

Related Information

Formation chances rise as NHC monitors disturbance that could develop, impact Florida soon The National Hurricane Center is watching an area of interest in the Caribbean that some models say could have a path toward Florida. more

Tropical cyclones are frequently stalling out around Florida, causing a lot more damage

When tropical storms slow down or stall, they can cause a lot more damage. Think heavier rain, bigger storm surges, and longer periods of strong winds. more

Click here for the latest tropical information.

NATIONAL NEWS

Navigating the PFAS Landscape: Emerging Trends in Litigation-The per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) landscape is rapidly developing as manufacturers and sellers of consumer products face increased litigation. more

U.S. EPA Says it’s Not Obligated to Regulate PFAS-laden Sludge Applied to Land-The EPA and PEER are in a legal dispute over whether the EPA is required to regulate PFAS in sewage sludge used as fertilizer, with PEER arguing that the Clean Water Act mandates regulation of these pollutants due to potential harm. more

EPA’s 12th Annual SepticSmart Week: Do Your Part, Be SepticSmart!- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is joining states, Tribes and local partners in celebrating SepticSmart Week from Sept. 16-20 and to provide homeowners and renters with information about protecting public health and properly maintaining septic systems. more

EPA Launches New Website To Support The Development Of Climate-Resilient Projects

Today, September 11, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the launch of a new website, the Climate Resilience and Adaptation Funding Toolbox more

NAWC Companies Invest $5.5 Billion Nationwide To Improve Water Quality And Reliability

Philadelphia – During the 2024 Water Summit, where industry leaders and stakeholders gathered to discuss advancements and strategies for the future of water services, the National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) announced a landmark achievement in water infrastructure investment. more

You’ve probably never heard of this ‘forever chemical.’ Scientists say it’s everywhere.-

As cities and towns plan to remove several harmful “forever chemicals” from drinking water, scientists are starting to focus on a less-studied version of the chemicals that is showing up virtually everywhere they look. more

EPA Releases Federal Interagency Water Workforce Report to Congress-On September 13, EPA released the “Interagency Water Workforce Working Group Report to Congress.” more

CISA Analysis: Fiscal Year 2023 Risk and Vulnerability Assessments-Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and U.S. Coast Guard published CISA Analysis: Fiscal Year 2023 Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (RVAs) which is a report on findings during 143 RVAs collectively conducted across multiple critical infrastructure sectors in 2023. more

Groundwater Use Can Be Accurately Monitored With Satellites Using OpenET, Study Finds

DRI scientists compare data from groundwater pumping meters with OpenET estimates in irrigated land to advance understanding of groundwater use. more

New Filter Removes Chemical Contaminants From Water Even At Very Low Concentrations

A polymer matrix housing a porous adsorbent network can filter water to remove chemical pollutants associated with pharmaceuticals and personal care products. more

Federal Interagency Working Group On Water Reuse Publishes First Report To Congress

This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published their first report to Congress on the Federal Interagency Working Group on Water Reuse (Working Group) more

Digital Trial Reduces I&I Wastewater Costs-Inflow of stormwater and infiltration of groundwater into wastewater systems is a constant operational challenge for managers. more

STATE NEWS

Florida this week argued a federal appeals court should overturn a ruling about permitting for projects that affect wetlands, contending that “disastrous consequences flow” from the ruling. Attorneys for the state late Monday filed a 74-page brief at the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in the battle about a 2020 decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to shift permitting authority to the state. more

Town breaks ground on the future-Highlands News-Lake Placid Mayor John Holbrook and other town leaders heralded a new advanced wastewater treatment plant as they broke ground last week. more

Bradenton's Wastewater System Overwhelmed-Fox 13-Recent heavy rain caused issues with the City of Bradenton’s wastewater system, causing partially treated water to be discharged into the Manatee River. City officials say old infrastructure is being improved. more

UF builds sustainable solutions for landfill dilemma-UF-At issue was the cost and treatment of leachate (LEE-chayt) – the liquid that filters to the bottom of the landfill at tens of thousands of gallons per day. Polk County officials have been hauling it to a treatment facility offsite for $2.5 million a year because they were not able to treat it more

Water, Wastewater Fees Will Rise $3.44 For ‘Typical’ Lakeland Homeowner-Starting next month, fees for city of Lakeland water utilities service will rise $3.44 per month for the typical residential customer who lives inside city limits, under new prices approved unanimously by the Lakeland City Commission on Monday. more

Bay County water treatment plant to get upgrades, project will cost around four million.

-PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The Bay County water treatment plant is getting upgraded, to ensure the quality of drinking water for those who live and visit here. more

FSU researchers work to protect local springs-North Florida’s Wakulla Springs long boasted crystal-clear waters that attracted swimmers, kayakers and wildlife enthusiasts eager to see the gators, manatees and other wildlife populating one of the world’s largest freshwater springs. more

SFWMD Celebrates the Completion of a New Water Storage Project in Osceola County-

Osceola County, FL - Today, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), joined many local, state and federal partners to celebrate the completion of a water storage project in Osceola County more

King Tide May Bring Flooding to Miami This Week: Experts Weigh In-Weather experts warn that low-lying areas in Miami could experience flooding this week owing to the king tide. more

Newberry Reviews Wastewater Plant Funding And Charter School Developments-NEWBERRY – The Newberry City Commission and received an update from City Manager Mike New about the city’s wastewater treatment plant and discussed a fire services agreement with Alachua County, among other matters on Aug. 26, 2024 more

Florida’s freshwater supplies can’t keep up with population growth-The Sunshine State could be facing a significant water shortage as early as next year, according to a report from the Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research. more

Polk County Utilities increasing rates starting in October-POLK COUNTY, Fla. — After about a decade without increasing rates, Polk County Utilities is now raising prices to ensure the future water supply, the company said. more

Cooperative Funding Initiative-This program allows local governments and private entities to share costs for projects that assist in creating sustainable water resources, provide flood protection and enhance conservation efforts. more

Wildwood officials vote to hike water rates by 5.3 percent-Wildwood commissioners Monday night gave tentative approval to both a $274.2-million budget for 2024-25 and a property tax rate of $2.83 per $1,000 assessed valuation. more

Polk County’s growing pains show what’s ahead for the rest of Florida-If you ever tire of the monotonous flatness of peninsular Florida, just drive through Polk County. The landscape there is dotted by massive mountains of phosphate waste, the result of companies mining the remnants of prehistoric more

As Florida faces water shortage, watchdog group urges state to use a more long-term planning process-To avoid a projected water shortage that state data indicates could start as soon as next year, Florida must adopt a more coordinated, comprehensive system for vetting, choosing and managing water projects, per a new Florida TaxWatch report. more

September 18, 1985: New York Times headline–Mineral Water From Georgia Being Bottled. Mineral-rich water from a spring that was once known for its supposed curative powers is being bottled for sale again for the first time in almost 50 years.

Water flowing beneath the 750 million-year-old granite formation underlying much of metropolitan Atlanta picks up minute amounts of salt, potassium, magnesium and lithium, a rare light metal that gave Lithia Springs its name and its reputation. Lithium, a potentially dangerous substance in large doses, is used in the treatment of manic depression.

In the late 1800′s and early 1900′s, tourists and invalids flocked to Lithia Springs, a small city 20 miles west of Atlanta, to drink and bathe in the mineral water. A Congress of Physicians was held there in 1887, which recommended the salty-tasting water for dozens of ailments including kidney stones, typhoid fever, eczema, nervous prostration, and ”diseases of delicate women.” [Typhoid fever? Really?]

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

2970 Wellington Circle | Tallahassee FL 32309

850.668.2746 | Contact Us