COVID-19 Update

This page is dedicated to keeping water and wastewater systems informed on the latest developments concerning the Coronavirus.  Please visit daily to find out how uitlities througout Florida are dealing with the emergency as well as policies, directives, and mandates that affect systems.  For your convenience we have FRWA Information, a number of links, and articles related to the coping with this emergency situation listed at the bottom of this page.

COVID Vaccine Distribution

In an effort to call attention to the water and wastewater operators role as essential workers, FRWA sent a letter to Governor DeSantis this week requesting that due consideration be given to assigning high priority for all water and wastewater personnel in the Florida COVID-19 Vaccination Plan.  

The letter noted that "critical water utilities personnel are first responders in emergency events at their utilities and in mutual aid efforts to help other damaged water utilities to restore full services as soon as possible.  For water utilities to recover quickly, those from within the water utilities are the best to help other damaged utilities in Florida and Florida water utility personnel are the best in the nation."

This is just another example of FRWA efforts to protect the safe drinking water of Florida by protecting essential workers.  To read the complete letter that was sent to the Governor, click here.

Thermometers Available Through FEMA

In addition to other equipment FEMA has pushed thermometers to the State Emergency Operation Center, and they are in the process of being pushed to each individual county EOC. That being said. per logistics all the Water Utilities need to do is contact their County Emergency Operations Center Emergency Manager and ask for them. If they need more than the county has, then they can order as many as needed and be reimbursed. I am forwarding the vendor list we have been using in logistics for these items. 

 FEMA article regarding thermometer distribution to States:

https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2020/05/26/distribution-infrared-thermometers

In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Florida Rural Water Association suggests that utility systems think about, consider and possibly develop a plan to suspend water account disconnections due to non-payment. Like all of our member systems, FRWA wants to ensure that all customers have access to clean drinking water and wastewater services and are able to practice good hygiene by washing their hands frequently.

Many utilities around the United States are announcing suspension of service cutoff until the end of the pandemic. While plans and policies differ with the individual utility, discussion should center on options that allow customer service to remain in place but keep a systems water utility revenue intact. 

These options might include:

• Institute an agreement with the customer to suspend payment for a set number of months and have the bill spread out and added to the bill over the (six) months following:
• Institute a minimum monthly payment for duration of pandemic;
• Average the past three (six) months water bills to set a minimum payment for duration of pandemic;
• Referrals to other agencies in the area that assist with utility bills (charities, religious organizations, local assistance programs);
• Ask customers if they will help pay extra on their monthly bills to assist those who cannot pay
• Give customer 15 days past cutoff date to contact utility and make arrangements to pay through some option
• Encourage customers to avoid paying bills in person and to consider using alternate payment methods.

As a reminder, this would not be a cancellation of any combined utility bills and customers should be encouraged to continue paying their bills promptly while offering alternative payment options during the public health emergency. Systems should also take care to not create unreasonable and precedent setting expectations.

As always, FRWA is interested in assisting water and wastewater systems with every phase of the water and wastewater operations. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can provide you with any assistance.

As a tool for our members, FRWA has developed a short Drinking Water and Wastewater SOP template for your use that are available under the FRWA Information column.  Anything we can do to help our systems prepare for the worst case, even though we hope and pray they never have to use, it is always good to be ready.

As always, FRWA is interested in assisting water and wastewater systems with every phase of the water and wastewater operations. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can provide you with any assistance.