About FRWA

What is the Florida Rural Water Association...

One of the most frequently asked questions we are asked is “Exactly what does the Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) do?” We were originally formed for the benefit of small water and wastewater systems throughout Florida. We now serve all systems, large and small. We are a professional nonprofit trade association that is A non-regulatory and non-governmental agency.

Since the beginning, FRWA’s primary purpose has been to assist water and wastewater systems with every phase of the water and wastewater operations. Our Active members consist of public water and wastewater systems, such as counties, municipalities, associations, districts, mobile home parks, schools, authorities, etc. Our Board of Directors are elected from the membership at our Annual Business Meeting.

That sounds pretty good, right? But what you really want to know is “What can FRWA do for me?” The following is a brief description of our services. Click on the link provided for more information. If you have a question about any of our services, please contact our office at 850.668.2746 or email us at admin@frwa.net.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

A group of men standing on a brick road with a hoverboardAI-generated content may be incorrect.

Systems have been relying on FRWA to provide technical assistance in Florida since 1979. We have “boots on the ground” all around the state to help you with all matters water & wastewater.

One of the greatest advantages of being a member of FRWA is the onsite technical assistance at no charge. Our Team spends almost 12,000 hours onsite at almost 7,000 systems annually. The FRWA staff are routinely stopping by systems to lend a helping hand with everyday operations and in emergency situations. Our employees include operators, former small-town officials, and former DEP employees well versed in what it takes to run a system and the issues they face. We are there for your system if it is out of compliance, with experienced advice to guide you back to compliance. We are not a government agency - but we are familiar with rules and regulations and know how to communicate with the various regulatory agencies.

Personnel are assigned to different regions of the state to provide coverage to all systems in Florida. In order to see who covers your area, click here. You can filter the list in the county your system is located in. You can then select the area of expertise needed for services.

DRINKING WATER SERVICES

FRWA employs professional field personnel, called “Circuit Riders”, who assist water systems in every phase of operations, maintenance, and management. These professionals, located throughout the state, are available to assist your system onsite, with water treatment, water distribution, water quality, and compliance concerns at no charge. Equipment is available to members on loan for a limited time or through use by our Circuit Riders. Examples of the equipment are computerized and sonic leak detectors, plastic and metal line locators (ground penetrating radar), ultrasonic meter testers, generators, water treatment and distribution system testing equipment, etc.

Click for more information.

WASTEWATER SECTION SECTION SERVICES

The Association’s wastewater professionals provide field technical assistance to your wastewater system. These technicians can assist with troubleshooting, consulting, and correcting wastewater treatment, collections, and disposal concerns. FRWA maintains an extensive inventory of wastewater diagnostics, testing, and troubleshooting equipment which is available. Our equipment includes video camera inspection system for collection lines, smoke blowers, flow and meter testing devices, lab and testing equipment, computers, and computer diagnostic software, etc. The Association’s Wastewater personnel and equipment can save your system thousands of dollars.

Click here for more information.

GROUNDWATER/SOURCE WATER SECTION SERVICES

This department employs professionals to assist your system, protect your water supply, troubleshoot and correct well-related problems, and generally improve Florida’s water resource outlook and future. FRWA’s groundwater/source water specialists can design and assist you in adopting an adequate protection plan, solving well-related bacteriological problems, or

improve source water efficiencies and withdrawals. Wellhead protection plans developed by consultants and other service providers can cost over $10,000 but are available at no charge to FRWA members.

Click here for more information.

ENGINEERING SERVICES

FRWA's Engineering Assistance is available to FRWA members. The primary focus of our engineering department is to provide assistance with compliance, operations, maintenance, management, potential compliance, health, and environmental issues – including permitting and design. All of this is just a phone call or email away. Should you need permitting or an engineering study and accept a FRWA engineering proposal, we’ll ask for a small contribution in aid of engineering assistance. If it’s a regulatory compliance issue, sometimes we can get some breathing space from DEP until we can work on your project. This also gives them assurance we are on your team.

Click here for more information.

TRAINING

FRWA has been a provider of CEUs for the drinking water, distribution systems, and wastewater operators of Florida for over 25 years. We take pride in providing the latest training at a reasonable price so operators can not only keep up to date with ever-changing regulations but earn CEUs in order to keep their licenses up to date. Be sure to check our website for upcoming training opportunities by scanning the QR code on the left. Please note, our certification classes do not give CEUs since they are prep courses for getting your operator license. All available training in your area is listed on our website with new classes being frequently added. If you don’t see what you are looking for today, contact us and we will put you in contact with one of our trainers.

Onsite Training

Last year the FRWA conducted 58 on-site training classes with almost 3,500 attendees throughout the state. 33 of these classes awarded CEUs to over 1,300 attendees. 25 classes included training for those preparing for their water, distribution system, and wastewater license exam. The registration fee covers the administrative costs to process the CEUs and post them to DEP. Certification TrainingFRWA is approved by the Department of Environmental Protection to provide Certification Training to those applying for their drinking water, wastewater, or distribution systems license in the state of Florida. Our courses include:

B/C/D Drinking Water Certification Review class is a refresher course for those applicants who are planning on taking their Class B, C or Class D Drinking Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Operator examination.

B/C Wastewater Certification Review a refresher for anyone taking their B or A level Wastewater exams.

1/2/3 Water Distribution Certification is an approved course providing a Certificate of Completion that will meet the educational requirements for Level 1, 2, and 3.

Click here for our current onsite training opportunities.

Online Training

If you are not able to attend our onsite classes but need CEUs for this cycle, youmay want to take one of our over 35 online classes offering CEUs through SunCoast Learning. Upon completion of the course, FRWA and you will receive an email of your completion and your CEUs will be posted to DEP. When considering the course you may want to take, please be sure it offers the type of CEUs you need and be sure you have not taken it in the last four years, as this will be considered aduplicate class and cannot be counted.

Click here ror more information and a complete list of the classes offered.

Apprenticeship Training

The FRWA Apprenticeship Program offers systems statewide an opportunity to train new employees. This federally funded program gives students hands-on, as well as classroom experience. Students are given the chance to see other systems at work and expose them to different ways our water and wastewater systems handle challenges in operations and maintenance which can’t be taught in a classroom setting.

This training is valuable to the systems to develop a confident, well-rounded employees. Any opportunity to learn something new every day should not be missed, and this program supports this effort!

For more information, click here.

Emergency Response

FlaWARN is a secure, web-based data bank of available resources for use by utilities damaged by a disaster and makes available a practical mutual aid agreement designed to reduce bureaucratic red tape in times of emergency. Their goal is to provide immediate relief for member utilities during times of emergencies. FRWA provides administrative and technical support to the FlaWARN Steering Committee which is comprised of representatives from the major professional water associations and other at-large utility members in Florida. During emergency events, FRWA attends daily meetings with FlaWARN, the Steering Committee member utilities, and potential responders to review and discuss the needs of event-affected utility systems and make assignments for response and assistance.

For more information, click here.

ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

The Asset Management Program is a free program, developed through a partnership with FDEP and FRWA to provide our smaller to medium size water and wastewater systems assistance in completing an Asset Management Plan. An Asset Management Plan is a requirement for participation in the State Revolving Loan Fund Program. Asset Management includes building an inventory of the utility’s assets and provides documentation that helps the utility understand the assets they have, how long these assets will last, and how much it will cost to maintain, repair, or replace these assets along with financial projections which show the utility whether rates are sufficient to supply the utility’s future needs. If your system is considering using the State Revolving Fund to help finance your capital project, call us for a free, unbiased, impartial, independent review of your utility assets to better meet the needs of your system and the community.

Click here for more information.

REVPLAN

Doing more with less is the reality for today's water and wastewater utilities. Amid increasing regulations, increasing public expectations, and an ever-increasing list of emerging contaminants, public utilities are working to maintain their affordable services while protecting public health and the environment with very little financial wiggle room. To meet these challenges, the FRWA has partnered with Raftelis to offer the systems of Florida a free online tool called RevPlan.

RevPlan is designed to enhance the asset and financial management for small water utilities. The idea behind RevPlan is to provide an online tool for small water utilities to achieve financial resiliency and to maintain their utility assets for long-term sustainability. RevPlan assists users in identifying the various utility funding requirments over a five-year planning window.

For more information, click here.

FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT

Putting together ALL the financial and management services you need in one place–FRWA. Already well known for providing high quality technical assistance and training to member water and wastewater systems, we also provide financial and management assistance as a membership benefit. Some of the financial topics FRWA can assist you with are listed below:

Revenue Requirements & Rate Analysis

Cost of Service

Water Audits & Infiltration / Inflow

Utility Management Training Sessions

Finance Programs, Grants, Loans

Interim Finance Program

Regulatory Updates & Assistance

Long Range Planning / Capacity Analysis

Utility Operation / Compliance Assistance

For more information, click here.

MAPPING SERVICES

Today, more than ever, it’s important to keep up to date maps of our Water and Wastewater Systems. Many water and wastewater operators are retiring and with them goes the knowledge of your systems layout and important asset locations. Systems are also expanding every day, and now you have information from two different sources to keep up with. DEP requires systems to have up-to-date utility maps per Rule 62-555.350(14) F.A.C.

A person standing in the woodsAI-generated content may be incorrect. We know that not every system can afford to purchase their own equipment, so FRWA is here to help with several accurate handheld units (accuracy to sub-meter or less) and the software needed to create the necessary maps and/or data files.The FRWA Legal Assistance Program aligns our members with experienced rural water attorneys who can assess legal risks and identify opportunities. This program is intended to offer proactive and protective recommendations for FRWA members related to legal vulnerabilities, old governance documents and exposures. This will be a first proactive step and additional assistance may be provided related to request.

For more information, click here.

LEGAL SERVICES

FRWA has established a relationship with a group of attorneys with decades of experience representing rural water interests. This program offers an initial legal review of core legal issues affecting rural water utilities. If additional legal assistance is desired, the utility will be able to contract directly with the preferred attorneys.

For more information, click here.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM

The Energy Efficiency Technical Assistance Program is designed to promote energy efficient practices in small water and wastewater systems. There is no charge for the program. The program consists of performing energy assessments, recommending energy-efficient practices and technologies, and providing support in achieving recommendations. Technical support includes operational assistance, assisting with presentations to governing boards, accessing financing, training, and developing documentation.

For more information, click here.

LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY

One of the most frequently asked questions we are asked is “Exactly what does the Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) do?” We were originally formed for the benefit of small water and wastewater systems throughout Florida. We now serve all systems, large and small. We are a professional nonprofit trade association that is A non-regulatory and non-governmental agency.Since the beginning, FRWA’s primary purpose has been to assist water and wastewater systems with every phase of the water and wastewater operations. Our Active members consist of public water and wastewater systems, such as counties, municipalities, associations, districts, mobile home parks, schools, authorities, etc. Our Board of Directors are elected from the membership at our Annual Business Meeting.That sounds pretty good, right? But what you really want to know is “What can FRWA do for me?” The following is a brief description of our services. Click on the link provided for more information. If you have a question about any of our services, please contact our office at 850.668.2746 or email us at admin@frwa.net.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

A group of men standing on a brick road with a hoverboardAI-generated content may be incorrect.

Systems have been relying on FRWA to provide technical assistance in Florida since 1979. We have “boots on the ground” all around the state to help you with all matters water & wastewater.One of the greatest advantages of being a member of FRWA is the onsite technical assistance at no charge. Our Team spends almost 12,000 hours onsite at almost 7,000 systems annually. The FRWA staff are routinely stopping by systems to lend a helping hand with everyday operations and in emergency situations. Our employees include operators, former small-town officials, and former DEP employees well versed in what it takes to run a system and the issues they face. We are there for your system if it is out of compliance, with experienced advice to guide you back to compliance. We are not a government agency - but we are familiar with rules and regulations and know how to communicate with the various regulatory agencies.Personnel are assigned to different regions of the state to provide coverage to all systems in Florida. In order to see who covers your area, click here. You can filter the list in the county your system is located in. You can then select the area of expertise needed for services.

DRINKING WATER SERVICES

FRWA employs professional field personnel, called “Circuit Riders”, who assist water systems in every phase of operations, maintenance, and management. These professionals, located throughout the state, are available to assist your system onsite, with water treatment, water distribution, water quality, and compliance concerns at no charge. Equipment is available to members on loan for a limited time or through use by our Circuit Riders. Examples of the equipment are computerized and sonic leak detectors, plastic and metal line locators (ground penetrating radar), ultrasonic meter testers, generators, water treatment and distribution system testing equipment, etc.Click for more information.

WASTEWATER SECTION SECTION SERVICES

The Association’s wastewater professionals provide field technical assistance to your wastewater system. These technicians can assist with troubleshooting, consulting, and correcting wastewater treatment, collections, and disposal concerns. FRWA maintains an extensive inventory of wastewater diagnostics, testing, and troubleshooting equipment which is available. Our equipment includes video camera inspection system for collection lines, smoke blowers, flow and meter testing devices, lab and testing equipment, computers, and computer diagnostic software, etc. The Association’s Wastewater personnel and equipment can save your system thousands of dollars.Click here for more information.

GROUNDWATER/SOURCE WATER SECTION SERVICES

This department employs professionals to assist your system, protect your water supply, troubleshoot and correct well-related problems, and generally improve Florida’s water resource outlook and future. FRWA’s groundwater/source water specialists can design and assist you in adopting an adequate protection plan, solving well-related bacteriological problems, or improve source water efficiencies and withdrawals. Wellhead protection plans developed by consultants and other service providers can cost over $10,000 but are available at no charge to FRWA members.Click here for more information.

ENGINEERING SERVICES

FRWA's Engineering Assistance is available to FRWA members. The primary focus of our engineering department is to provide assistance with compliance, operations, maintenance, management, potential compliance, health, and environmental issues – including permitting and design. All of this is just a phone call or email away. Should you need permitting or an engineering study and accept a FRWA engineering proposal, we’ll ask for a small contribution in aid of engineering assistance. If it’s a regulatory compliance issue, sometimes we can get some breathing space from DEP until we can work on your project. This also gives them assurance we are on your team.Click here for more information.

TRAINING

FRWA has been a provider of CEUs for the drinking water, distribution systems, and wastewater operators of Florida for over 25 years. We take pride in providing the latest training at a reasonable price so operators can not only keep up to date with ever-changing regulations but earn CEUs in order to keep their licenses up to date. Be sure to check our website for upcoming training opportunities by scanning the QR code on the left. Please note, our certification classes do not give CEUs since they are prep courses for getting your operator license. All available training in your area is listed on our website with new classes being frequently added. If you don’t see what you are looking for today, contact us and we will put you in contact with one of our trainers.
Onsite Training
Last year the FRWA conducted 58 on-site training classes with almost 3,500 attendees throughout the state. 33 of these classes awarded CEUs to over 1,300 attendees. 25 classes included training for those preparing for their water, distribution system, and wastewater license exam. The registration fee covers the administrative costs to process the CEUs and post them to DEP. Certification TrainingFRWA is approved by the Department of Environmental Protection to provide Certification Training to those applying for their drinking water, wastewater, or distribution systems license in the state of Florida. Our courses include:

B/C/D Drinking Water Certification Review class is a refresher course for those applicants who are planning on taking their Class B, C or Class D Drinking Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Operator examination.

B/C Wastewater Certification Review a refresher for anyone taking their B or A level Wastewater exams.

1/2/3 Water Distribution Certification is an approved course providing a Certificate of Completion that will meet the educational requirements for Level 1, 2, and 3.

Click here for our current onsite training opportunities.

Online Training

If you are not able to attend our onsite classes but need CEUs for this cycle, youmay want to take one of our over 35 online classes offering CEUs through SunCoast Learning. Upon completion of the course, FRWA and you will receive an email of your completion and your CEUs will be posted to DEP. When considering the course you may want to take, please be sure it offers the type of CEUs you need and be sure you have not taken it in the last four years, as this will be considered aduplicate class and cannot be counted.Click here ror more information and a complete list of the classes offered.
Apprenticeship Training
The FRWA Apprenticeship Program offers systems statewide an opportunity to train new employees. This federally funded program gives students hands-on, as well as classroom experience. Students are given the chance to see other systems at work and expose them to different ways our water and wastewater systems handle challenges in operations and maintenance which can’t be taught in a classroom setting.This training is valuable to the systems to develop a confident, well-rounded employees. Any opportunity to learn something new every day should not be missed, and this program supports this effort!For more information, click here.

Emergency Response

FlaWARN is a secure, web-based data bank of available resources for use by utilities damaged by a disaster and makes available a practical mutual aid agreement designed to reduce bureaucratic red tape in times of emergency. Their goal is to provide immediate relief for member utilities during times of emergencies. FRWA provides administrative and technical support to the FlaWARN Steering Committee which is comprised of representatives from the major professional water associations and other at-large utility members in Florida. During emergency events, FRWA attends daily meetings with FlaWARN, the Steering Committee member utilities, and potential responders to review and discuss the needs of event-affected utility systems and make assignments for response and assistance.For more information, click here.

ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

The Asset Management Program is a free program, developed through a partnership with FDEP and FRWA to provide our smaller to medium size water and wastewater systems assistance in completing an Asset Management Plan. An Asset Management Plan is a requirement for participation in the State Revolving Loan Fund Program. Asset Management includes building an inventory of the utility’s assets and provides documentation that helps the utility understand the assets they have, how long these assets will last, and how much it will cost to maintain, repair, or replace these assets along with financial projections which show the utility whether rates are sufficient to supply the utility’s future needs. If your system is considering using the State Revolving Fund to help finance your capital project, call us for a free, unbiased, impartial, independent review of your utility assets to better meet the needs of your system and the community.Click here for more information.

REVPLAN

For more information, click here.

FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT

Revenue Requirements & Rate Analysis

Cost of Service

Water Audits & Infiltration / Inflow

Utility Management Training Sessions

Finance Programs, Grants, Loans

Interim Finance Program

Regulatory Updates & Assistance

Long Range Planning / Capacity Analysis

Utility Operation / Compliance Assistance

For more information, click here.

MAPPING SERVICES

Today, more than ever, it’s important to keep up to date maps of our Water and Wastewater Systems. Many water and wastewater operators are retiring and with them goes the knowledge of your systems layout and important asset locations. Systems are also expanding every day, and now you have information from two different sources to keep up with. DEP requires systems to have up-to-date utility maps per Rule 62-555.350(14) F.A.C.We know that not every system can afford to purchase their own equipment, so FRWA is here to help with several accurate handheld units (accuracy to sub-meter or less) and the software needed to create the necessary maps and/or data files.The FRWA Legal Assistance Program aligns our members with experienced rural water attorneys who can assess legal risks and identify opportunities. This program is intended to offer proactive and protective recommendations for FRWA members related to legal vulnerabilities, old governance documents and exposures. This will be a first proactive step and additional assistance may be provided related to request.For more information, click here.

LEGAL SERVICES
FRWA has established a relationship with a group of attorneys with decades of experience representing rural water interests. This program offers an initial legal review of core legal issues affecting rural water utilities. If additional legal assistance is desired, the utility will be able to contract directly with the preferred attorneys.For more information, click here.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM
The Energy Efficiency Technical Assistance Program is designed to promote energy efficient practices in small water and wastewater systems. There is no charge for the program. The program consists of performing energy assessments, recommending energy-efficient practices and technologies, and providing support in achieving recommendations. Technical support includes operational assistance, assisting with presentations to governing boards, accessing financing, training, and developing documentation.For more information, click here.

LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY
The FRWA is your voice in Tallahassee and Washington DC. Each year our Executives and Board of Directors visit Washington DC to discuss the needs of rural water systems with our local, state, and federal leaders. Appointments are made so we have an opportunity to have their full attention as we discuss the everyday issues that rural systems are up against. We work closely with our state leaders in Tallahassee and around the state to discuss the impact their decisions may have on underground utilities and how they may affect the public health of their districts.

For more information, click here.

For more information on the topics above or any issues that you need assistance with, please contact FRWA at frwa@frwa.net or call 850.668.2746.