38th Environmental Permitting Summer School

Completely redesigned for 2024! This panel of experts will cover emerging challenges in meeting future water demands, the delivery of innovative water supply projects, meeting the conceptual costs of distribution and storage of reclaimed water, and regulatory challenges and innovative approaches to addressing these issues. The Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI) area covers all or part of five central Florida counties and includes portions of three water management districts, several regional public water utilities and dozens of local governments. The panel will explore innovative water supply projects and policies that are emerging around Florida, including the CFWI, and the role of utilities and other significant water users now and into the future. Be ready to participate in this “must-attend” course.

In this advanced, two-part course, a panel of water policy experts will discuss Florida’s growing demand for water, and policy options for growing the “water pie” to satisfy these future demands. While conservation is an important tool, states must incorporate reuse as a source of water to meet growing needs and protect against environmental degradation.  Is it time to recognize that there may be better uses for reuse water than residential irrigation? Is Florida ready to accept indirect or direct potable reuse? Is the future for reuse related to aquifer replenishment?  Part 2: Join us for an intriguing discussion on the policies needed to advance reuse in the Sunshine State including a discussion on 2022 legislation, the Potable Reuse Commission, DEP reclaimed water phase II regulatory activities, national reuse activities, direct and indirect potable reuse, end-users’ concerns, while also highlighting successful projects and future projects such as regional aquifer replenishment. 

In this advanced, two-part course, a panel of water policy experts will discuss Florida’s growing demand for water, and policy options for growing the “water pie” to satisfy these future demands. While conservation is an important tool, states must incorporate reuse as a source of water to meet growing needs and protect against environmental degradation.  Is it time to recognize that there may be better uses for reuse water than residential irrigation? Is Florida ready to accept indirect or direct potable reuse? Is the future for reuse related to aquifer replenishment?  Part 2: Join us for an intriguing discussion on the policies needed to advance reuse in the Sunshine State including a discussion on 2022 legislation, the Potable Reuse Commission, DEP reclaimed water phase II regulatory activities, national reuse activities, direct and indirect potable reuse, end-users’ concerns, while also highlighting successful projects and future projects such as regional aquifer replenishment. 

This panel will discuss the current status and issues involving Florida’s underground injection control (UIC) regulatory program that authorizes the injection of fluids into underground formations and aquifer recharge projects. The panel will focus on the expanded use of aquifer storage and recovery and aquifer recharge projects involving potable, surface water/stormwater, or reclaimed water to enhance water supplies. The panel will cover changes to underground injection and aquifer recharge resulting from DEP’s recent indirect potable reuse regulations. Additionally, the panel will discuss the recent US Supreme Court Maui decision and the subsequent EPA Maui Guidance to determine when an NPDES permit may be required for groundwater injection projects. Finally, the use of exemptions and variances to obtain UIC approvals for these projects will be examined. Overcoming issues and impediments to obtaining UIC authorizations for deep well disposal of waste streams will also be discussed. Come prepared to listen, learn, and participate! 

Florida is faced with significant local and regional water supply, water quality and other water resource challenges in the coming decades unless proactive actions are taken. The need for new investments in water infrastructure is growing, while local governments and other governmental agencies are faced with fiscal, risk-based and capability constraints. Private sector expertise and financing is needed to play a key role in replacing and expanding Florida’s water infrastructure. Part of the solution may be public-private partnerships (P3) through development of contractual arrangements. In 2019, federal, state, and local governments spent well over $500 billion to design, build, operate, and maintain transportation and water infrastructure in the United States. The panel will discuss P3 opportunities, legislative initiatives at the state and federal level, as well as case studies in meeting Florida’s future water resource needs. This is a timely and highly recommended course! 

Discussion of integrating regional water supply plans of local government with the plans and projects of water utilities through a prescribed planning process requiring cooperation between water management districts and local and regional water management districts and local and regional water utilities; regulatory incentives for the development of alternative water supplies; financial assistance for utilities; linking the growth management plans of local governments with the plans and projects of water utilities; applying the principles of consistency with concurrency as set forth in Florida law and implementing rules. Audience participation is encouraged.

To prevent significant harm to the water resource, the water management districts must adopt minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for waterbodies and groundwater according to an annual priority list. If the waterbody does not meet or is projected not to meet, the adopted minimum flow or level, the district must adopt a recovery or prevention strategy. Some districts are re-evaluating their minimum flows and levels to see if they were set correctly. Minimum flows and levels and their associated prevention or recovery strategies can affect water users by causing cutbacks on existing sources, forcing the development of alternative water supplies, and forcing participation in aquifer or surface water body recharge projects, in each case creating general uncertainty. A Water Reservation sets aside a volume of water for the protection of fish and wildlife or public health and safety.  Reserved volumes of water are unavailable for allocation to consumptive uses. This course focuses on the process by which MFLs and water reservations are developed and adopted, while also identifying where MFLs and water reservations are already in place or are scheduled for adoption in the future, how water users are impacted, and what you can do to protect your water uses.