Bill

Bill > H0645


FL H0645

Distributed Wastewater Treatment System Permits


summary

Introduced
02/14/2025
In Committee
04/04/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An act relating to distributed wastewater treatment system permits; amending s. 403.814, F.S.; providing definitions; authorizing the Secretary of Environmental Protection to grant a general permit for the replacement of an existing onsite sewage treatment and disposal system with a distributed wastewater treatment system under certain circumstances; authorizing the installation of distributed wastewater treatment units to proceed without any further action by the Department of Environmental Protection if a permittee submits a notification to the department at least a specified number of days before installation; providing requirements for such notification; requiring a permittee to take specified actions for such distributed wastewater treatment units; providing an effective date.

AI Summary

This bill amends Florida Statutes to establish a general permit process for Distributed Wastewater Treatment Systems (DWTS), which are integrated wastewater treatment systems consisting of one or more Distributed Wastewater Treatment Units (DWTU). The bill defines a DWTU as an advanced, closed-tank wastewater treatment system that is remotely operated and can achieve high treatment standards, specifically 80% total nitrogen removal. The Secretary of Environmental Protection can now grant a general permit for replacing existing onsite sewage treatment systems with a DWTS, provided the system meets specific requirements. These requirements include design capacity limits, proper discharge and subsurface application system design, appropriate setback distances, legal maintenance access, a monthly effluent compliance sampling plan, and ensuring the system does not create environmental or surface water issues. Permittees must conduct monthly reporting, annual inspections, recordkeeping, and manage biosolids, with the option to use electronic control systems for monitoring and operator visitation. The bill provides a streamlined permitting process, allowing installation after submitting a 30-day notification to the department, with the condition that a Florida-registered professional has designed the system in compliance with applicable rules. The provisions will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Other Sponsors (1)

State Affairs Committee (H)

Last Action

Laid on Table, refer to SB 796 (on 04/29/2025)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/645
Analysis - Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/645/Analyses/h0645z.NRD.PDF
BillText https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/645/BillText/c1/PDF
Analysis - State Affairs Committee (Post-Meeting) https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/645/Analyses/h0645c.SAC.PDF
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/645/Amendment/479403/PDF
Analysis - State Affairs Committee (Post-Meeting) https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/645/Analyses/h0645b.SAC.PDF
Analysis - Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/645/Analyses/h0645a.NRD.PDF
Analysis - Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/645/Analyses/h0645.NRD.PDF
BillText https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/645/BillText/Filed/PDF
Loading...