FWEA Focus—Ronald R. Cavalieri

FWEA FOCUS Direct Potable Reuse Rulemaking Continues

Ronald R. Cavalieri, P.E., BCEE

President, FWEA

Inoted in my October 2021 column that Florida's projected potable water demand will increase by more than 15 percent between 2020 and 2040, reaching 7.4 billion gallons daily. This increased demand will have a significant impact on the state’s water utilities to supply the projected demands and has brought about both new legislation and innovative water supply approaches.

The column emphasized the need for a “One Water” approach to water supply planning and recognized that water should not be labeled by its source (stormwater, groundwater, reclaimed water, etc.), but should be managed as simply One Water. An innovative new approach in water supply planning receiving widespread attention is reclaimed water for direct potable reuse.

Water quality also continues to be a high-profile issue in Florida and the focus of legislative and regulatory action. Several environmental bills have been passed by the Legislature, including the Clean Waterways Act (SB 712) in 2020 and the Reclaimed Water Bill (SB 64) in 2021. The Clean Waterways Act addresses several environmental issues, including provisions specifically related to water quality improvement and requirements for Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) rulemaking.

According to the SB 712 legislation, FDEP was required to initiate rule revisions based on the recommendations of the 2020 report of the Potable Reuse Commission, “Advancing Potable Reuse in Florida: Framework for the Implementation of Potable Reuse in Florida.” The legislation also stated that rules for potable reuse projects must address contaminants of emerging concern and meet or exceed federal and state drinking water quality standards and other applicable water quality standards. Also, as part of the legislation, reclaimed water was deemed a water source for public water supply systems.

City of Altamonte Springs Pure ALTA direct potable reuse demonstration pilot project.

Rulemaking Schedule

The FDEP potable reuse rulemaking effort is comprised of a joint effort between the wastewater and drinking water programs and includes revisions to Chapters 62-610, 62600, 62-625, 62-550, and 62-555 of the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) in compliance with the Florida Clean Waterways Act 2020150 Laws of Florida, Section 403.064 Florida Statutes (F.S.).

The FDEP potable reuse rulemaking schedule is as follows: S Chapter 62-600, F.A.C. – Effective Sept. 27, 2021 S Chapter 62-625, F.A.C. – Effective Sept. 20, 2021 S Chapter 62-610, F.A.C. • Phase I – Effective Aug. 8, 2021 • Phase II A – Anticipated by end of 2021, indirect potable reuse and aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) • Phase II B – Anticipated summer 2023 S Chapter 62-550, F.A.C. – Anticipated summer 2023 S Chapter 62-555, F.A.C. – Anticipated summer 2023

FWEA Utility Council Acknowledgment

The FWEA Utility Council (FWEAUC) has been actively engaged with FDEP in the potable reuse rulemaking process. While Phase II of the proposed rule development is not yet complete, the goal of our organization is to continue working with FDEP to address remaining technical concerns and ensure that the new rules facilitate establishment of this alternative water supply in Florida in a manner that protects public health and the environment.

I want to express my sincere appreciation to the members of FWEAUC and the countless hours that have gone into this rulemaking effort, dating back to the Potable Reuse Commission. Having recently participated in FDEP Day on Jan. 7, 2022, it was great to see the level of collaboration among the stakeholders for the implementation of potable reuse in Florida.

The mission of FWEAUC is to assist its members in achieving sound public health and environmental goals for the millions of users it serves in an efficient and cost-effective manner. The FWEAUC works for the reduction and elimination of water pollution in Florida and supports the adoption and implementation of effective wastewater legislation, regulations, and policy, primarily at the state and federal level.

References

• Framework for the Implementation of

Potable Reuse in Florida, January 2020. • FDEP. Water Reuse News and Rulemaking

Information website. https://floridadep.gov/ water/domestic-wastewater/content/waterreuse-news-rulemaking-information. • FDEP. Potable Reuse Rulemaking Public

Workshop, Jan. 14, 2021. S