DEP Northeast District's Wastewater Compliance Program Provides Free Training

JACKSONVILLE - Today the Florida Department of Environmental Protection?s (DEP) Northeast District is hosting a domestic wastewater training workshop to educate plant operators on compliance with the Department?s wastewater rules.

This workshop is part of a monthly series of workshops and presentations where attendees can easily obtain useful information about DEP?s rules, project requirements and expectations associated with its Wastewater Management program. The workshops, which are free and open to the public, also provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to certified wastewater operators a range of topics.

?Not only do these workshops provide information about our rules and regulations, they also have a hands-on component where operators learn techniques for maintenance, record keeping, quality assurance and sampling,? said Melissa Long, DEP?s Northeast District Water Facilities Administrator. ?Providing information to operators helps them run their treatment plants more effectively which directly protects the environment and human health.?

DEP is extremely focused on customer service. With the help of this workshop DEP will be able to communicate expectations and requirements with the regulated community. The workshop will highlight non-compliance issues in a non-confrontational manner allowing the DEP officials to interact in an educational environment.

The workshop is being done in conjunction with engineering consultants, and domestic wastewater plant operators. Compliance issues such as nutrient management plans will be discussed. In addition, a presentation on groundwater protection methods and monitoring will be given to help improve the percentage of the permitted facilities that are in compliance with the waste water permits.

For more information about DEPs Compliance Assistance Program and registration information, please visit: www.dep.state.fl.us.