CS for CS for SB 536                             First Engrossed
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       2014536e1
       
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to reclaimed water; requiring the
    3         Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a
    4         study in coordination with the stakeholders on the
    5         expansion of the beneficial use of reclaimed water,
    6         stormwater, and excess surface water and to submit a
    7         report based upon such study; providing requirements
    8         for the report; requiring the departments to provide
    9         the public an opportunity for input and for public
   10         comment; requiring that the report be submitted to the
   11         Governor and the Legislature by a specified date;
   12         providing an effective date.
   13          
   14  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   15  
   16         Section 1. Use of reclaimed water, stormwater, and excess
   17  surface water.—
   18         (1) The Department of Environmental Protection, in
   19  coordination with the stakeholders, shall conduct a
   20  comprehensive study and submit a report on the expansion of the
   21  beneficial use of reclaimed water, stormwater, and excess
   22  surface water in this state.
   23         (2) The report must:
   24         (a) Identify factors that prohibit or complicate the
   25  expansion of the beneficial use of reclaimed water, stormwater,
   26  and excess surface water and recommend how those factors can be
   27  mitigated or eliminated.
   28         (b) Identify measures that would lead to the efficient use
   29  of reclaimed water.
   30         (c) Identify the environmental, engineering, public health,
   31  public perception, and fiscal constraints of such an expansion,
   32  including utility rate structures for reclaimed water.
   33         (d) Identify areas in the state where traditional water
   34  supply sources are limited and the use of reclaimed water,
   35  stormwater, or excess surface water for irrigation or other
   36  purposes is necessary.
   37         (e) Recommend permit incentives, such as extending current
   38  authorizations for long-term consumptive use permits for all
   39  entities that substitute reclaimed water for traditional water
   40  sources that become unavailable or otherwise cost prohibitive.
   41         (f) Determine the feasibility, benefit, and cost estimate
   42  of the infrastructure needed to construct regional storage
   43  features on public or private lands for reclaimed water,
   44  stormwater, and excess surface water, including the collection
   45  and delivery mechanisms for beneficial uses such as agricultural
   46  irrigation, power generation, public water supply, wetland
   47  restoration, groundwater recharge, and waterbody base flow
   48  augmentation.
   49         (3) The departments shall:
   50         (a) Hold two public meetings, at a minimum, to gather input
   51  on the study.
   52         (b) Provide an opportunity for the public to submit written
   53  comments before submitting the report.
   54         (4) The report shall be submitted to the Governor, the
   55  President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
   56  Representatives no later than December 1, 2015.
   57         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2014.