WateReuse FL Review

May 2023

WateReuse Florida Update

Water Reuse Week May 14-20, 2023

WateReuse Florida, the state section of the WateReuse Association, is once again leading a statewide Water Reuse Week on May 14-20, partnering with utility organizations across the state to commemorate the importance of water reuse within our region. Water reuse is the process of using highly treated wastewater for beneficial purposes. Also known as reclaimed water, it is primarily used for irrigation, but also can be used for other purposes, including direct and indirect potable reuse. Many demonstration projects around the state are providing data and proof of the One Water concept. There are also many benefits to using reclaimed water, such as reducing potable water use, reducing discharge into rivers and bays from wastewater plants, and ensuring a sustainable and cost-effective water supply.

Water Reuse Week is an important opportunity to engage the public and leverages relationships with partner organizations to build support for legislation, policy, and funding to increase awareness of the benefits of water reuse. Other reasons to celebrate include Florida’s position as a national leader in water reuse, reusing approximately 900 million gallons of reclaimed water per day, more than 50 percent of the wastewater treated, to conserve freshwater supplies and recharge our freshwater resources. Florida’s permitted reuse capacity is more than 2.4 billion gallons per day (approximately 87 percent of Florida’s total permitted capacity for all domestic wastewater treatment facilities).

Florida’s water management districts, private sector innovators, local governments, public utilities and water users continue to work together to maximize the beneficial use of reclaimed water as an alternative water supply. The use of reclaimed water helps meet current and future water supply needs in a growing region and is a vital component of the regional water supply plans.

Thanks to the many utility partners that downloaded the 2023 proclamation and had their respective boards and commissions approve it to help highlight their accomplishments and get the word out.

Michael Sweeney, Ph.D.
WateReuse Florida President

2023 Florida Water Reuse Summit – Putting Reuse to Good Use

To commemorate WateReuse Week (a little early this year), our annual Summit meeting was held on April 27 at the University of Florida Straughn IFAS Extension Center in Gainesville. The theme this year was “Putting Reuse to Good Use” and the event included a tour, technical presentations, student research presentation summaries and much more.

Starting out the day, participants enjoyed a tour of Sweetwater Wetlands Park, a treatment wetland for stormwater and treated wastewater in Gainesville - a great example of excellent engineering, a beautiful setting, and a great hub for birding. Specific topic areas covered ongoing One Water research, potable reuse, PFAS, leveraging green infrastructure for reclaimed water treatment, innovative approaches and public engagement. Executive Director Mike Register of the St. Johns River Water Management District gave a keynote address and a review of ongoing research efforts of the Water Research Foundation was provided by Julie Minton.

An exciting new feature was added this year - a student research competition vying for a cash award for first place and runner-up. Jinsheng Huang was the winner of a $350 cash prize and Michael Ettlinger was the runner-up with a $150 cash prize. Since the Florida legislative session was still in full swing, an update on key bills was provided along with a brief update of regulations affecting water reuse. The annual Summit provided yet another a unique opportunity for WateReuse Florida to host and share more about beneficial reuse of reclaimed water and illustrated the reality of One Water.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Utilities Shared Their SB 64 Plans During Spring Webinar

WateReuse Florida was pleased to host a spring webinar entitled “Florida SB 64 – Compliance Planning and Incorporating Non-beneficial Discharges into Your Water Supply Portfolio”. Florida Senate Bill 64 has set forward regulations that eliminates non-beneficial discharges into Florida surface waters by 2032 and allows the opportunity to create various solutions to comply that include water reuse. Among the challenges are the tight timeline and other regulations related to potential solutions, which are still not finalized. The webinar began with Sydney Cummings, Senior Program Analyst, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, covering the drivers for and requirements for compliance with SB 64. Next, two utility leaders shared their approaches: Megan Ross, Utilities Director, Pinellas County Utilities and Rob Zammataro, Director of Water Planning, JEA. The webinar was moderated by Jeff Greenwell of Hillsborough County and the Q&A portion was lively. More than 100 attendees joined the call, many of which included others in their room. One PDH was offered for Florida licensed engineers. Many thanks to Pranjali Kumar, Jason Mickel and Kerry Kates, as well as our presenters, for their efforts in planning this successful webinar.

WateReuse Florida Members Present in Tallahassee

WateReuse Florida members participated in a hearing of Florida’s House Infrastructure Strategies Committee about Senate Bill 64 – a statewide plan to eliminate non-beneficial surface water discharges. Participants included WateReuse Florida President Michael Sweeney of Toho Water Authority, Past President Lynn Spivey of the City of Plant City, Mandi Rice of the Southwest Florida Water Management District and President Elect Kerry Kates of Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association.

Photo: Michael Sweeney, Lynn Spivey, Mandi Rice and Kerry Kates participated in the House Infrastructure Strategies Committee hearing on SB 64.

Member News

Welcome New Members!

WateReuse Awards of Excellence Winners 2023

Community Water Champions

Lynn Spivey, Utilities Director for the City of Plant City and Past President, was recognized for being instrumental in championing water reuse in her community through the MacIntosh Preserve Integrated Water Management Project, which will ensure a safe, reliable and locally controlled water supply.

Mike Britt, One Water Project Manager for the City of Winter Haven, was recognized for championing Winter Haven’s One Water Master Plan, a comprehensive plan to enhance resiliency, sustainability, and quality of life in the Peace Creek Watershed over a 50-year planning horizon.

Outreach and Education

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Southwest Florida Water Management District and WateReuse Florida were recognized for the One Water Florida outreach campaign, which helped increase acceptance of potable reuse as a future water supply in Florida.

Service Award

Robert Beltran, Immediate Past President, was recognized for his service to the national Board of Directors. His leadership and vision helped drive the national adoption of water reuse policies and programs.

Photo: WateReuse Florida members accepted their awards at the 2023 WateReuse Symposium in Atlanta.

If you have additional news or meetings to share, please contact:

Ben Glickstein, Director of Communications
bglickstein@watereuse.org

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