Wastewater Compliance Program Includes a Look at Reuse

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

This training is part of a monthly series of workshops and presentations where wastewater plant operators can obtain useful information about DEP?s rules, requirements and expectations associated with its Wastewater Management program. The program is free and open to the public.

The City of Palatka is hosting the event at the Palatka Golf Club which uses reclaimed water from the local treatment plant for irrigation. Reclaimed water, or water reuse is an integral part of water resources management, wastewater management, and ecosystem management in Florida. It reduces demands on valuable surface and ground waters used for drinking water sources, eliminates discharges that may pollute valuable surface waters, recharges ground water, and postpones costly investment for development of new water sources and supplies. A tour of the golf course will be part of the training.

?Knowledgeable operators can run their treatment plants more effectively and have a better understanding of the rules and regulations,? said Melissa Long, DEPs Northeast District Water Facilities Administrator. ?This training series allows DEP an opportunity to be proactive through interaction with the regulated community which may prevent a non-compliant situation from occurring.?

DEP is extremely focused on customer service. The training, being done in conjunction with engineering consultants and domestic wastewater plant operators, allows discussion of non-compliance issues in a non-confrontational manner. Not only do these workshops provide information about DEP?s rules and regulations, they also have a hands-on component where operators learn techniques for maintenance, record keeping, quality assurance and sampling for proper plant operation. Helping to insure that operators run their plants more effectively has a direct impact on the environment and human health and will also prepare facilities for DEP inspections.

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

A video about wastewater reuse can be found at www.dep.state.fl.us/Water/Reuse.