Topic: Water & Wastewater Utilities

When it came to energy, the 2014 session was expected to be fairly routine but then renewable energy supporters started making noise about some of Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam's recommendations.

SB 1576, requiring septic tanks in areas with polluted springs and tightening laws to prevent over pumping of groundwater, died in the House. "Like the bill's sponsors, we get frustrated to hear the springs bill is not the right approach -- but we don't hear what the alternative is," said Eric Draper of Audubon Florida.

SB 1576 dealing with springs is on the Senate special order calendar for Wednesday. Some environmentalists have criticized the House for not acting on the companion bill, HB 1313. "Does the springs bill have a chance in the Senate? I think is the better question," House Speaker Will Weatherford said.

A private water utilities bill passed out of the final meeting of a Senate environmental committee. The meeting also spotlighted problems with plastic bags and developers' criticism of how environmentalists have worked water issues this session.

Environmentalists beat back a four-year delay on banning septic sludge from being spread on land and now are supporting an amended proposal delaying the ban for one year. The prohibition is part of a 2010 law designed to protect Florida springs.

The two take different approaches in dealing with consumer complaints about private water utilities. Simpson would clear a path for customers to demand the PSC revoke a company's operating certificate while Hay's proposal more closely matches the bill moving through the House.

Environmentalists suspected HB 601 and SB 536 were part of a water grab by utilities. But when the sponsors inserted a comma their fears about a proposal dealing with wastewater were erased.

Some legislative leaders and pundits say there will be a focus on water in the 2014 legislative session but it looks increasingly like the focus will be on money -- for environmental protection and restoration.

As natural gas prices stay low, state leaders' impetus for diversifying Florida's energy supply is fading. House Speaker Will Weatherford said the whole debate about energy has changed because of low gas prices, but Weatherford and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam warn that Florida remains vulnerable to possible future price increases.

SB 536 calls for a study of treated wastewater, called "reclaimed water," and includes in the definition "stormwater and excess surface water." Audubon Florida is concerned that the language could allow water utilities in the future to claim water that is needed for Florida's environment. "All this bill does -- all -- is do a study," said Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby and the bill's sponsor. ... Related Research: 2012 DEP Water Reuse Inventory Report.

SB 272 allows customers of investor-owned water utilities to petition the Public Service Commission to revoke the operating certificate of those utilities because of complaints about water quality. That provision is lacking in HB 357. "I don't know if there is a lot of love within the House for those particular provisions," said Rep. David Santiago, sponsor of the House bill. ... Related Research: Various reports and previous stories.

Gov. Rick Scott last May approved $32 million in water projects in the 2013-14 state budget while vetoing others totaling $27.3 million. The House and Senate received requests of more than $280 million. "I really think we have the opportunity here to do the right thing," said Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota, in calling on the House to seek more information about funding requests.

"Everyone has heard what the problems are," Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby and SB 272 sponsor, told a Senate committee. "I think for too long we have had the private utilities in a posture that our consumers were not looked after." ... Related Research: August 2013 PSC report on Utilities Inc. of Florida rate hike request, and Feb. 15, 2013 "Study panel urges that PSC be allowed to fine private water utilities for bad water quality," The Florida Current.

Sen. Wilton Simpson and Rep. Richard Corcoran urged the Florida Public Service Commission to delay action or vote down a rate increase requested by Utilities of Florida, Inc. until legislation can be passed to tighten regulations. Complaints about the cost and quality of water provided by water companies have come up in legislative sessions for the past three years in a row.