Other
Agency Reuse Programs
Public
Service Commission
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The Public Service Commission
(PSC) has concentrated its
efforts to promote water conservation and reuse of reclaimed water by developing formal
lines of communication and coordination with the DEP, and the water management districts.
The PSC also establishes conservation oriented rate structures, when appropriate, and
allows recovery of conservation program expenses in rates. The PSC has been actively
involved in the development of a statewide water conservation plan with the DEP and the
water management districts, and has entered into Memoranda of Understanding
(MOUs) with
the DEP and water management districts addressing water conservation and reuse issues.
Reuse rates, as well as other rates for investor-owned
utilities, are regulated by the PSC. While the PSC reviews investment in lines and
treatment plant in order to determine the amount of "used and useful" plant (the
plant necessary to serve the current customers, plus an allowance for growth) to be
recovered in rates, Florida statutes require 100% of reclamation plant costs to be
recovered. The statutes also provide for reuse costs to be recovered from a utility’s
potable water, wastewater or reclaimed water customers or any combination thereof as the
commission deems appropriate. High-quality reclaimed water used to irrigate a golf course
conserves higher quality drinking water in the aquifer. Sharing reuse costs between the
potable water, wastewater and reclaimed water customers is justified on the basis that all
customers, including potable water customers, benefit from the preservation of the
aquifer.
Pursuant to the MOU between the PSC and DEP, the PSC will
provide feasibility analyses of the financial impacts of reuse projects on both the
customers and the wastewater utilities. The MOU also provides that the PSC and DEP, when
appropriate, will jointly conduct meetings with customers to inform them of the need for
reuse projects and the potential impact the projects will have on service rates.
PSC Reuse Contacts:
Bart Fletcher
Public Utilities Supervisor
Florida Public Service Commission
2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850
phone: 850.413.7017
The PSC web site address is:
www.floridapsc.com
Department of Health
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The Department of Health is represented on the State’s
Reuse Coordinating Committee, as well as the Reuse Technical Advisory Committee. The
Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services’ (the predecessor agency of
DOH)
State Virologist played a critical role in the development of the State’s high-level
disinfection requirements for protecting public health. Reclaimed water regulated by Part
III of the Florida Administrative Code must meet the high-level disinfection requirements
producing an essentially pathogen-free product that meets many of the primary and
secondary drinking water standards (even though it is not intended for drinking water
purposes).
In order to further protect public health, DEP district
offices must provide the appropriate county health departments with a copy of the notice
of intent to issue a permit, along with the draft permit, for all new or expanded reuse
systems. In addition, the revisions to Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., that were adopted in 1999
require applicants for certain ground water recharge and indirect potable reuse permits to
notify county health departments during the planning stages of their project.
DOH Reuse Contacts:
Ed Bettinger
2020 Capital Circle S.E. Bin A08
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1713
phone: 850.488.4070
ed_bettinger@doh.state.fl.us
or
Pepe Menendez
2020 Capital Circle S.E. Bin A08
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1713
phone: 850.488.4070
pepe_menendez@doh.state.fl.us
The DOH web site address is:
www.doh.state.fl.us
Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services
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The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
(DACS)
has limited involvement in the State’s reuse program. The Department is represented
on the State’s Reuse Coordinating Committee. By serving on the Committee, DACS brings
the reuse issues and concerns of agricultural farmers before the Committee, and is able to
keep the farmers, and the Department, up to date on reuse issues.
DACS Reuse Contact:
James Fort
3125 Conner Boulevard Suite C28
Tallahassee, FL 32399
phone: 850.488.6249
fortj@doacs.state.fl.us
The DACS web site address is:
doacs.state.fl.us
Department of Community Affairs
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The Department of Community Affairs
(DCA) joined the
State’s Reuse Coordinating Committee in 1999. DCA has coordinated efforts with DEP to
make the State’s building codes consistent with the Florida Statutes and the Florida
Administrative Code regarding indoor uses of reclaimed water.
DCA Reuse Contact:
Richard Deadman
2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahasee, FL 32399-2100
phone: 850.922.1770
richard.deadman@dca.state.fl.us
The DCA web site address is:
www.dca.state.fl.us
2012 State of Florida