CS/SB 444 —Domestic Wastewater Discharged Through Ocean Outfalls
by Community Affairs Committee and Senator Diaz de la Portilla
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee (EP)
This bill (Chapter 2013-31, L.O.F.) allows utilities additional flexibility to meet the 60 percent reuse requirement. The bill allows utilities to continue to discharge peak flows up to five percent of utilities’ baseline flows through ocean outfalls. Additionally, the bill requires utilities to include supplemental information on costs and options in their detailed plans necessary to achieve the requirements of s. 403.086(9), F.S. Finally, the bill requires the utilities, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the South Florida Water Management District to evaluate the detailed plans and recommend adjustments to the Legislature, if necessary, to the reuse requirements in this section.
These provisions were approved by the Governor and take effect July 1, 2013.
Vote: Senate 40-0; House 117-0