Make it Happen! Your Contributions Create a World of Difference

Volunteers drive the success of FWEA

Megan L. Nelson, M.S., P.E.

One quiet morning in 2016, after some mildly repetitive reminding from a coworker, I decided to attend my first FWEA volunteer leadership meeting. The room was buzzing with chatter, ideas, some familiar faces, and some new-to-me faces.

I watched and listened as I saw the process of “Doing Big Things” unwind in front of me. Eventually the “Big Question” was asked: Who will help with this year’s toy drive networking event? I felt compelled, despite not knowing what

Vision

A Clean and Sustainable Water Environment for Florida’s Future Generations

Mission

The Florida Water Environment Association is dedicated to promoting a clean and sustainable water environment by supporting and uniting our members with the public through public awareness and outreach, providing professional development and networking opportunities for our members, and creating alliances to promote sound science-based public policy.

Committees

S Air Quality

S Awards

S Biosolids

S Collection Systems

S Contractors

S Manufacturers and Representatives

S Member Relations

S Membership

S Operations Challenge

S Public Communication and Outreach

S Safety and Security

S Seminars

S Student and Young Professionals

S Utility Management

S Wastewater Process

S Water Resources, Reuse, and Resiliency

Chapters

Scan here to express your interest as a chapter or committee volunteer!

I was getting myself into quite yet. Then, several months later, I somehow pulled together a great success of a toy drive that included a massive donation of toys, big laughs with many new friends, and the new discovery of my own voice as a contributing volunteer for FWEA.

So, what does this mean for you? How can you get involved and take your next right step? If you are committed to helping FWEA further its mission, then consider taking a more active role today. With over 20 committees and chapters, we have a wide array of important tasks that need your contribution, voice, and expertise.

Consider whether you want to contribute locally (chapters) or connect to a statewide committee that focuses on a specific aspect of water reclamation management. Start small and commit to something that inspires you. Whether you want to participate in water quality, be involved in policy making, or help with planning seminars and programs, there is a position for you!

Megan L. Nelson is a senior engineer with Orange County Utilities in Orlando and serves on the FWEA board of directors as a director at large. She can be reached at Megan.Nelson@ocfl.net.S

Hurricane Nicole didn’t hit southwest Florida directly, but the rain it dumped further north will likely find its way south. The lock separating Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee is closed, with the irrigation channel nearby overflowing, and the lake is now a little over 16 feet. Once the lock is opened, the water that fell as rain hundreds of miles north could end up in the southwest, and when the nutrient-rich water meets the Gulf of Mexico, it could mean development of red tide, causing fish kills, soiling of coastlines, and devastating the local economy.

Red tide was already cropping up after Hurricane Ian on the west coast of Florida. Local researchers are now collecting water and sediment samples in an effort to prove a theory that connects red tide to the movement of sediments during a hurricane.

It’s believed that when red tide in the water subsides, its cells filter down to the ocean floor and mix with sediment, remaining dormant until another storm comes through and again stirs things up. When nutrients are added from storm runoff, naturally occurring red tide can become a major issue.

The Florida Section of AWWA (FSAWWA), in partnership with Cavanaugh and ESource, has developed a water loss training and technical assistance program to guide and advance adoption of best practices for water loss control in the state of Florida using the methodology outlined in the American Water Works Association (AWWA)

Manual M36, Water Audits and Loss Controls Manual and Free Water Audit Software

Utilities participating in the program will work with water loss control experts to learn key concepts of the M36 methodology, gather water audit data, compile and validate water audits, value water loss volumes, and evaluate cost-effective water loss control opportunities.

The program’s goals include improving technical, financial, and managerial capacity; increasing efficiency of water delivery to customers; water distribution infrastructure maintenance; and water conservation.

Participation in the program will involve participating in four stages of learning modules, both in-person and remotely through 2024. For more information, go to the program website at www.floridawaterloss.org.

Osceola Capital, a Tampa-based private equity firm, has announced the formation of Flotilla Partners to create the leading provider of water treatment and testing services for residential and commercial customers in Florida and the Southeast. The company specializes in the maintenance, repair, testing, and installation of systems for water filtration, water softening, well water pumps and filtration, and water heating.

Flotilla was launched in partnership with Walter Conner, operating partner and Flotilla chief executive officer. Conner has exceptional experience as an entrepreneur, operator, and head of acquisitive facility services businesses, most recently as chief executive officer of

Handy Can Sanitation Services prior to its sale to a private equity-backed acquiror.

The company had completed the first of its first three strategic partnerships: Aquaflow, Filter Pure Systems, and Land O' Lakes Water Treatment. These businesses will provide water treatment services and equipment to residential and commercial customers across central and western Florida.

R

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is now accepting applications for cost-share projects to develop alternative water supplies (AWS). This initiative is part of Florida’s continuing efforts to implement costeffective strategies to conserve its precious water resources while meeting the state’s water needs. Partnering with local governments and other entities for implementation of water conservation projects and development of alternative water projects is an important and effective way to help accomplish this goal. All local governments applying for this grant must have an adopted irrigation ordinance consistent with the district’s year-round irrigation rule in place in order to be eligible for funding consideration.

Gov. Ron DeSantis requested annually recurring cost-share funding for developing water supply and water resource development projects. The SFWMD is requesting applications for funding consideration for AWS and water conservation projects within the district’s 16-county service area in anticipation of costshare funding being appropriated for Fiscal Year 2023-24. This funding cycle corresponds to a project start date occurring on or after Oct. 1, 2023.

Eligible projects for consideration should be construction-ready AWS projects, readyto-implement water conservation technology programs, or projects that provide the most immediate benefits.

The deadline to apply is March 2, 2023, at 4 p.m., EST. Projects may receive up to 50 percent cost-share of eligible project costs.

To apply for the funding and for more details, visit sfwmd.gov/coopfunding. For assistance with the application process or technical support, contact Stacey Adams via email at www.sadams@sfwmd.gov or by phone at 561-682-2577, Robert Wanvestraut via email at rowanves@sfwmd.gov or by phone at 561-682-6615, or Rosines Colon via email at rcolon@sfwmd.gov or by phone at 561-6826715.

The Florida Section of AWWA (FSAWWA), in partnership with Cavanaugh and ESource, has developed a water loss training and technical assistance program to guide and advance adoption of best practices for water loss control in the state of Florida using the methodology outlined in the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Manual M36, Water Audits and Loss Controls Manual and Free Water Audit Software.

Utilities participating in the program will work with water loss control experts to learn key concepts of the M36 methodology, gather water audit data, compile and validate water audits, value water loss volumes, and evaluate cost-effective water loss control opportunities.

The program’s goals include improving technical, financial, and managerial capacity; increasing efficiency of water delivery to customers; water distribution infrastructure maintenance; and water conservation.

Participation in the program will involve participating in four stages of learning modules, both in-person and remotely through 2024.

For more information, go to the program website at www.floridawaterloss.org. S