HomeMy WebLinkAboutHandouts_Regular_Tab 23_7/13/2023Village of Tequesta
345 Tequesta Drive
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Tequesta, FL 33469
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Date:
To:
Through:
From:
Re:
July 12, 2023
City Council, Village of Tequesta
Jeremy Allen, Village Manager
Marjorie Guillory Craig, PE, Utilities Director ar
561-768-0700
www.tequesta.org
Request for Village Council Support of Senate Bill 1430 — Water Systems PFAS Liability
Protection Act on Letter to Florida US Senators from Water Utility Councils
The Utilities Department requests approval to add the Village of Tequesta Utilities
Department's name to a letter to be sent to our Florida US Senators in support of Senate Bill
1430 — Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act, jointly from the utility councils of the
Florida Section of the American Water Works Association (FSAWWAUC) and the Florida Water
Environmental Association (FWEAUC). This bill will be considered during this 118th Congress due
to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) current rulemaking on per- and
polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS is a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer
coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. A United States Geological
Society (USGS) study has found that at least 45% of the nation's tap water is estimated to have
one or more PFAS.
Senate Bill 1430 (S.1430) is important legislation for the water sector as it provides a critical
exemption from liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
and Liability Act (CERCLA) for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) releases. EPA
has proposed a rule to designate two PFAS compounds as CERCLA hazardous substances and is
seeking public comment on classifying seven other PFAS compounds under CERCLA. Without
the exemption provided under S.1430, the water sector will be liable to pay for cleanups under
EPA's proposed rule.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
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This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the Village IPr d. & I
Clerk's Office at 561-768-0440 or by completing our accessibility form: https://bit.ly/3mnfeU4 1 ��
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Florida Water
Environment
Association
UTILITY COUNCIL
'"►%►. Vef Member Association
July XX, 2023
The Honorable U.S. Senator Marco Rubio
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington DC, 20510
A",
American Water Works
Association
FloridaSection
Water Utility Council
RE: Support for S.1430 - Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act
Dear Senator Rubio,
The Florida Water Environment Association Utility Council (UC), Florida Section of the American
Water Works Association Water Utility Council (WUC), and the undersigned utilities from across
our great state respectfully request your:
• Support for S.1430 - Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act recently filed by
Senator Cynthia Lumis from Wyoming with 7 co-sponsors.
• Consideration to co-sponsor the bill.
This important legislation provides drinking water and wastewater utilities (water sector) a
critical exemption from liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances
(PFAS) releases. Without this exemption, the water sector will be liable to pay for future PFAS
cleanups under the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed rule to
designate two PFAS compounds - Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic
Acid (PFOS) - as CERCLA Hazardous Substances. The EPA is also seeking public comment on
classifying seven other PFAS compounds as hazardous under CERCLA. A water sector exemption
is especially needed during this 11811 Congress due to EPA's current rulemaking.
We ask you to support our principle the "Polluter Pays" and not the "Public Pays" for PFAS
pollution cleanup. Florida's communities should not bear the financial burden for the actions of
PFAS manufacturers and suppliers. The Florida water sector takes great pride in serving these
communities, 24/7, 365 days a year. The WUC represents water utilities who collectively supply
the world's most precious and number one resource — water — to over 80 percent of the state's
population and the millions of visitors to our great state. The UC wastewater utility members
provide necessary water cleansing to protect public health and the environment for nearly half
of the state's population. CERCLA PFAS cleanup costs will potentially cause significant financial
impacts on water and wastewater utilities which will be passed on to our customers. The
Floridians and visitors we serve face enough financial challenges and do not deserve to have the
cost of PFAS cleanup actions added to their household budgets.
In closing, we thank you for your time and consideration on this important water sector issue.
We wish you much progress as Congress moves into the second half of the year. Should you have
any questions on PFAS or any other water sector items, please feel free to reach out to either of
us (Jeff Greenwell, GreenwellJ@hillsboroughcounty.org and Monica Wallis,
mwallis@dwuinc.com).
Jeff Greenwell, President Monica Wallis, Chair
Florida Water Environment Association Florida Section American
Utility Council Water Works Association
Water Utility Council