Committee advances bill requiring statewide wastewater facility inventory and risk report

Senator Polsky presented SB 1468 on behalf of Senator Berman, saying the bill would require the Department of Environmental Protection to prepare a comprehensive report cataloguing wastewater treatment plants across Florida — including year of construction, maintenance/upgrades, permitted and actual flow volumes, current treatment levels, contaminant concentrations, pollutant load estimates, disposal methods and discharge volumes, spill history, elevation and location relative to floodplains and coastal hazards.

Polsky said the information will help the Legislature and executive branch make strategic decisions about curbing water pollution, prioritizing investments and protecting the state's economy.

Alicia Keeter of the Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) urged the committee to account for costs and access to funding before creating mandates, noting that utilities that must upgrade to advanced treatment can face significant financial challenges. Keeter cited a recent Newberry project where bids rose from $66 million to $79 million within a year and requested that the bill ensure funding pathways for municipalities and smaller utilities.

Polsky said he would pass Keeter’s comments to the sponsor, Senator Berman. The committee had no recorded opposition in the hearing and reported SB 1468 favorably.

Next steps: the bill was reported favorably by committee; the DEP report requirement and any funding mechanisms will be subjects to follow‑up as the measure moves through the Legislature.