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In the US the environmental debate has been taking center stage in recent years. In Florida there is discourse around climate change, rising sea levels, and toxic algae in our waterways and along the coastline. For South Florida, clean water is necessary not only to sustain human life, but also the Everglades ecosystem. Locals here receive the majority of their water from Lake Okeechobee in the North, which is routed through a system of aquifers throughout the region. In this article, we’ll discuss the origins of Florida clean water legislation, how these are managed by the state, and how a home water filtration system is an important consideration for South Florida residents and their families.
The Clean Water Act (CWA) was established in 1972 and is governed by the Environmental Protection Agency. CWA regulates and monitors pollutant discharges into US waterways and gave the EPA authority to establish mitigation programs, such as wastewater disposal for industry. CWA also has a provision for funding sewage treatment plants under a national grant program.
Other amendments followed, modifying the initial CWA provisions. In 1981, revisions streamlined the construction grants process in municipalities; improving the capacity for treatment plants under the program. In 1987 another amendment was passed which phased out the construction grants with the State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (SWPCF), commonly known as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. As this fund exists today the EPA established state partnerships, such as with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
Under the FDEP is the Division of Water Resource Management (DWRM), based in Tallahassee, oversees state laws to protect drinking and groundwater, lakes, rivers, wetlands, as well as preservation of Florida’s beautiful beaches and legendary Everglades. For your reference, you can review Florida state statistics about domestic waste water.
Floridians generate on average 100 gallons of wastewater each day, which needs to be managed to protect public health, water quality, wildlife, and public and private recreation. For many Florida homeowners domestic wastewater is managed with an Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System (OSTDS) or more commonly referred to as a septic tank. Septic tanks are used because the Florida landscape limitations for the construction of underground drainage systems. Septic tank permits are issued and managed by the Florida Department of Health.
South Florida property owners commonly use the Point of Entry (POE) Granular Activated Carbon system, which is installed at the exterior of a building with a piping line that runs indoors. The POE system is very effective at filtering volatile organic compounds such as iron and calcium. The other commonly used system is Point of Use / Reverse Osmosis, which is installed under the kitchen sink (in the industry this is called an exit point system). For homeowners it is recommended to have both a POE and POU or whole house filtration system in place.
Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric offer a range of filtration systems for residential and commercial use. Whether you’re interested in installing a POE or POU or upgrading to both, our plumbing technicians are available to guide you along the way.
We also specialize in private well water treatment specifically designed to mitigate high mineral concentration in your water supply. Our Green System is a sustainable, two-tank model alternative using activated carbon and seed crystallization, which significantly reduces scaling in your plumbing and pipes.
If you’re more concerned about drinking water, then a UV disinfection system is your best option. We have been serving South Florida residents since 1983 and are there to guide you in the ideal filtration system to match your needs and budget for home or business.
