September 25, 2024

FRWA in Emergency Response Mode

In anticipation of Hurricane Helene, emergency prep began on Tuesday in both the FRWA Cairo and Gainesville Warehouses. Generators, equipment, and supplies were loaded in anticipation of the incoming hurricane. Employees are busy contacting systems to assure them of assistance in the storm's wake and make sure that their system contact information is current in Water Tracker.


Helene is currently in the Gulf roaring north towards Tallahassee. It is expected to make landfall on Thursday evening. The power of the storm will likely leave many without power which is devastating for water systems.


FRWA will be closed on Thursday, September 26th in anticipation of the storm. If you need assistance during that time, please email us at frwa@frwa.net or call the office at 850.668.2746. Voicemail messages will be electronically transferred and we will return your call as soon as possible.


On Friday morning, FRWA will be in post hurricane mode. First, we will be contacting our employees in the path of the storm to make sure that they were all right. Then, we will be begin coordinating recovery efforts with the help of Water Tracker. Systems are asked to post any needs into Water Tracker in a statewide effort to bring relief to the thousands of systems without water or power.


If you have any needs, please contact FRWA at 800.872.8207 or email us at frwa@frwa.net.


Good luck out there, and stay safe!

Related Articles

TROPICAL UPDATE

11:00 AM EDT | Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Helene Becomes a Hurricane & Florida Outlook

Hurricane Warnings For Florida Big Bend and Gulf Coast;

Tropical Storm Warnings Through the Peninsula and Keys;

Impacts Well Beyond the Center

The latest on Helene

• Location: 85 miles NNE of Cozumel, Mexico; 500 miles SSW of Tampa, Florida

• Maximum Sustained Winds: 80 mph; Category 1

• Current Movement: NNW at 10 mph


A turn toward the north and north-northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected later today through Thursday, bringing the center of Helene across the eastern Gulf of Mexico and to the Florida Big Bend coast by Thursday evening. After landfall, Helene is expected to slow down and turn toward the northwest over the southeastern U.S. Friday and Saturday. Additional strengthening is expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening. Weakening is expected after landfall, but Helene’s fast forward speed will allow strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, to penetrate well inland across the southeastern U.S.

Click here for the latest information.

Bay County Utilities Awarded Best Tasting Water Contest Award

Pictured above is Bobby Gibbs, Manager of Bay County Utilities accepting a plaque from Alicia Keeter, FRWA Executive Director, as the winner of the Best Tasting Water Contest that was held at our recent Annual Conference.


A panel of distinguished taste testers from throughout the state judged each sample that was submitted on color, odor, taste, and quench factor. Bay County Utilities will be eligible to compete against other states at the 2025 National Rural Water Association’s Water Rally in Washington, DC.


You can click on the video below for highlights of the contest.


Congratulations Bay County Utilities for having the title of “The Best Tasting Water in Florida”!

Because of Tropical Storm Helene, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has postponed the Wednesday meeting to discuss the Basin Management Action Plans for DeLeon Springs, Gemini Springs and the Volusia Blue Spring.


The meeting had been scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Lyonia Environmental Center in Deltona. A new date hasn't been announced.

Articles of Interest

NATIONAL NEWS


Additional EPA Actions Could Help Public Water Systems Address PFAS in Drinking Water

Chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—PFAS—are used in some consumer products, like carpet, clothing, and nonstick cookware. more


The Role of Smart Tanks in Distribution Water Quality Management-his 60-minute seminar will provide water system managers, operators and engineers a practical understanding of the science and implementation of distribution system based water treatment to address low residual levels and disinfection byproducts. more


How to leverage payments to improve water customer experience-In this fast-paced digital era, the expectations of consumers—including water customers—are evolving at an unprecedented rate.

more


PFAS Project Playbook: How to implement a cost-effective and compliant PFAS removal system De Nora Water Technologies LLC-Per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) can be found everywhere and regulations globally are on the rise. For rural and small districts, the financial cost of meeting EPA requirements poses a big challenge. more


Maintenance and Repair Coatings for Key Water/Wastewater Infrastructure Assets-There are several generic types of coatings that can be utilized for maintenance and repair operations within the water/wastewater infrastructure. more


Rural Drinking Water Has a Nitrate Problem-The Lower Yakima Valley in Washington state has been home to large-scale animal agriculture for decades, but in 2008 when one dairy operation tried moving onto the Yakima Indian Reservation, the community balked at the proposition. more


Erin Brockovich holding Georgia townhalls on contaminated drinking water-Environmental activist Erin Brockovich is holding two north Georgia townhalls this weekend to discuss the impact of PFAS - also known as “forever chemicals” - in the state’s drinking water supplies. more


STATE NEWS


Meeting on Volusia County springs postponed due to storm-Because of Tropical Storm Helene, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has postponed the Wednesday meeting to discuss the Basin Management Action Plans for DeLeon Springs, Gemini Springs and the Volusia Blue Spring. more


Surplus Anhurous Ammonia Tanks for Bidding City of Pompano Beach-Each tank has a 1,000 gallon capacity. more


Is South Florida water safe to drink? Here's what you need to know-The quality of our drinking water has been a topic of conversation for a long time. more


How Florida’s Water Dilemma is Impacting Polk Utilities Rates-Polk County’s Utilities Division (PCU) has been a leader in water conservation. Conserving water is important to Polk County for the following reasons. more

Tropical storm approaches Florida: Evacuation tips, what to bring if you have pets, children

Floridians saw the peak of hurricane season arrive earlier this month, weeks after Hurricane Debby made landfall as a category 1 in early August. more


Wildwood businesses and homeowners face 20 percent fee hike-As Wildwood works to expand its wastewater treatment capacity, homeowners and businesses face a 20 percent fee hike. more


How do we make water drinkable? A look at the process at a Miami-Dade treatment facility

What we do and how we do it impacts whether our drinking water is dirty or clean. Pollution can travel below the land surface and contaminate our water supply. more


Hurricane Ian anniversary: FEMA breaks down $10.2 billion price tag for 'costliest storm'

Hurricanes have a price tag and according to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Ian has been the costliest storm to ever hit Florida and third costliest in the United States. more


Bay County water treatment plant to get upgrades-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


WHAT'S IN THE WATER: Florida State researchers set to study Wakulla Springs-FSU said Wakulla Springs State Park alone contributes about $20 million annually in tourism spending. more


Florida's poison control centers see spike in children overconsuming energy drinks-Poison control centers across the country are seeing a 20% increase in calls about children overconsuming energy drinks, according to a 2023 study more

This Week in Water History

The article below appeared in the New York Times in September of 1986. Currently, systems across the nation are in the process of taking an inventory of each meter to determine if the pipes leading from the meter are lead. The inventory was mandated by EPA and is due by October 17, 20224. FRWA is currently assisting by furnishing information on this requirement.

September 24, 1986: New York Times headline-New Rules Limit Lead In Water Supply Pipes. "The Environmental Protection Agency today announced new limits on the use of lead in piping systems for public drinking water supplies.


The limits, authorized by amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, affect construction of new homes and other buildings, repairs on existing homes that get their water from public systems and modifications to the systems themselves, according to the E.P.A.


The rules ban the use of solder containing more than two-tenths of 1 percent of lead and the use of pipes and fittings with more than 8 percent lead content."

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

2970 Wellington Circle | Tallahassee FL 32309

850.668.2746 | Contact Us

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