Framework for the Implementation of Potable Reuse in Florida Prepared for Collaborative Partners Florida Potable Reuse Commission WateReuse Florida Florida Section of the American Water Works Association Water Utility Council Florida Water Environment Association Utility Council Water Research Foundation WateReuse Association Framework for the Implementation of Potable Reuse in Florida Prepared for: Florida Potable Reuse Commission Collaborative Partners: WateReuse Florida Florida Section of the American Water Works Association Water Utility Council Florida Water Environment Association Utility Council Water Research Foundation WateReuse Association January 2020 Disclaimer This report was prepared for the Florida Potable Reuse Commission, which is a partnership of the WateReuse Florida, Florida Section of the American Water Works Association Water Utility Council, Florida Water Environment Association Utility Council, and the Water Research Foundation. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this report are advisory and informational. The partnership organizations and their member agencies assume no responsibility for the opinions or statements of facts expressed herein. The mention of trade names of commercial products does not represent or imply the approval or endorsement by the Florida Potable Reuse Commission or its partners. This report was published solely for informational purposes. About the Florida Potable Reuse Commission The Florida Potable Reuse Commission is a coalition of a diverse group of water resource, industry, agricultural, environmental, and health professionals. The purpose of the Potable Reuse Commission is to create a consensus driven partnership to develop the framework for the implementation of potable reuse in Florida. The framework will support the use of potable reuse as a water supply alternative in Florida to meet future water supply needs while protecting public health and the environment. ©Copyright 2020 by the WateReuse Association. All rights reserved. For more information, please contact: WateReuse Association 1199 North Fairfax Street, Suite 900 Alexandria, VA 22314 703.548.0880 www.watereuse.org Suggested Citation: Florida Potable Reuse Commission (2019). Framework for the Implementation of Potable Reuse in Florida. Prepared for Florida Potable Reuse Commission, Published by the WateReuse Association, Alexandria, VA, January 2020. PREFACE ___________________________________________________________________ By 2035, Florida will need an additional 1.1 billion gallons of fresh water per day to meet projected needs. The development of alternative sustainable water sources is critical to meet projected water needs as well as to support Florida’s economic success and status as a world-class travel destination. Potable reuse has been safely implemented in other parts of the U.S. and internationally and has the potential to provide Florida with a new water source. Although potable reuse is an established practice, additional information and supporting regulations are needed to advance potable reuse in Florida. The Potable Reuse Commission (PRC) was organized to develop a consensus-based framework for use by the water industry, regulators, and stakeholders to advance the safe implementation of potable reuse in Florida. In the framework, relevant technical information is summarized and specific recommendations are made that will support the greater adoption of potable reuse. The framework was developed to safeguard the protection of public health and the environment, provide regulatory and financial certainty to communities considering potable reuse, and ensure consistency in permitting and implementation of potable reuse projects throughout the state. The framework presents a path to the broader adoption of potable reuse and provides communities across the state with a new tool to help them meet future water demands. Because a range of perspectives was necessary for the success of the PRC, the commission includes associations that represent water and wastewater utilities as well as other key stakeholders. Statewide water and wastewater associations on the PRC include WateReuse Florida, Florida Water Environment Association Utility Council, and Florida Section American Water Works Association Water Utility Council. Stakeholders on the PRC include organizations representing agricultural, environmental, public health, and regulatory interests. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the South Florida, Southwest Florida, and St. Johns River Water Management Districts also participated as ex officio members. This broad representation on the commission ensured that the recommendations in the framework are balanced and potable reuse in Florida will be protective of public health and the environment. The PRC also recognized that developing the framework for advancing potable reuse in Florida required a robust and transparent approach. As a result, to encourage participation in the process by stakeholders and to provide opportunities for public comment and review of information presented, the PRC conducted multiple publicly-noticed meetings, conference calls, and technical workshops for over a year. All materials presented at the meetings, as well as drafts of this report, were made available for stakeholder and public review and comment. The PRC welcomed stakeholder and public input and considered all comments during the preparation of the framework and its recommendations. The broad- based stakeholder and public involvement helped the PRC develop a consensus-based framework that provides recommendations on technical, regulatory, and public engagement to support the practice of potable reuse in Florida. A critical factor for implementing potable reuse is public understanding that potable reuse is a safe and sustainable alternative water source. Through public engagement, including public education and outreach, the state and communities can develop public trust that potable reuse is safe. Public Framework for Potable Reuse in Florida | i understanding will be supported by increased experience and advancements in technology that will demonstrate and reinforce the safety and benefits of potable reuse. The successful development of this framework resulted from the substantial efforts of a number of organizations, including the Water Research Foundation, and stakeholders from the public, environmental advocacy, public health groups, agricultural and industrial communities, and water and wastewater utilities. The PRC is very grateful to all the individuals and organizations for their dedication, commitment, and hard work that made the framework possible. Lynn Spivey, City of Plant City, WateReuse Florida, Chair Bart Weiss, Hillsborough County, WateReuse Florida, Vice- Chair Brian Wheeler, Toho Water Authority, Florida Section of American Water Works Association Water Utility Council, Vice- Chair Paul Steinbrecher, JEA, Florida Water Environment Association Utility Council, Vice- Chair Dr. Donna Petersen, University of South Florida College of Public Health Chuck Weber, City of Tampa, Florida Section of American Water Works Association Water Utility Council Ed Torres, City of Altamonte Springs, Florida Water Environment Association Utility Council Jo Ann Jackson, City of Altamonte Springs, Florida Water Environment Association Utility Council* Kerry Kates, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association Dean Bodager, Florida Department of Health Garrett Wallace, Nature Conservancy of Florida Jim Spratt, Associated Industries of Florida *Jo Ann Jackson representing the City of Altamonte Springs, Florida Water Environment Association Utility Council served on the PRC through May 16, 2019. ii | Framework for Potable Reuse in Florida ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ___________________________________________________________________ This report, Framework for the Implementation of Potable Reuse in Florida, was prepared for the Florida Potable Reuse Commission. Florida Potable Reuse Commission The 11-member Potable Reuse Commission (PRC) consists of a diverse water-related stakeholder group comprised of water, environmental, and industry professionals. The PRC’s Mission is to develop a framework for potable reuse implementation in Florida to augment future water supplies and to support water quality initiatives as well as to advise elected officials and regulatory agencies on statutory and regulatory challenges, and to present consensus-based solutions. The PRC was established to provide leadership in the expansion of potable reuse as an alternative water supply option (right water, right time, and right place). The members of the PRC include utility representatives from WateReuse Florida, Florida Water Environment Association (FWEA) Utility Council, Florida Section American Water Works Association (FSAWWA) Water Utility Council, and stakeholders representing agriculture, environment, public health, associated industries, and the Florida Department of Health (FDOH). The members of the commission are: • Lynn Spivey, City of Plant City, WateReuse Florida, Chair • Bart Weiss, Hillsborough County, WateReuse Florida, Vice- Chair • Brian Wheeler, Toho Water Authority, Florida Section of American Water Works Association Water Utility Council, Vice-Chair • Paul Steinbrecher, JEA, Florida Water Environment Association Utility Council, Vice- Chair • Dr. Donna Petersen, University of South Florida College of Public Health • Chuck Weber, City of Tampa, Florida Section of American Water Works Association