Rules in Development

Notice of Rule Developments (begin rulemaking)

Water Well-Related Rulemaking

Rule No.
40C-1, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.)

Rule Title
ORGANIZATION AND PROCEDURE

Rule No.
40C-3, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.)

Rule Title
WATER WELLS

(Posted on 7-2-2024)

Description

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose and effect of the proposed rule amendments to Chapter 40C-1 will be to: (1) delete a refence to Chapter 40C-5, which was repealed in 2015;  and (2) update, clarify, or simplify criteria (and delegation) for variances from water well construction requirements. The purpose and effect of the proposed rule amendments to Chapter 40C-3 will be to: (1) update delegation of authority for Executive Director;  (2) incorporate by reference various updated water well permitting delegation agreements with Brevard County, City of Jacksonville, Indian River County, Marion County, and Osceola County;  (3) incorporate by reference a new water well permitting delegation agreement with Seminole County;  (4) incorporate by reference a new water well permitting delegation agreement with the Suwannee River Water Management District (Suwannee) regarding small portion of Bradford County within District’s boundary that is not currently regulated by Suwannee;  (5) repeal incorporation of a water well permitting delegation agreement;  (6) incorporate references to standards and methods contained within rules of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) that are incorporated within Chapter 40C-3;  (7) clarify that wells, which supply water to public water systems not covered or included in the Florida Safe Drinking Water Act, are included in the category of Public Water Supply Well;  (8) delete a refence to Chapter 40C-5, which was repealed in 2015;  (9) update/clarify contents of the permit application;  (10) update inspection criteria and delete District offer to sell metallic water well tags;  (11) incorporate general reference to Chapter 62-524, F.A.C., and references to setback requirements of 62-532.400(7) and (8), F.A.C.;  (12)  update and incorporate references to AWWA Standard C654-21, Section 4.3, guidelines for disinfection of filter or gravel pack materials, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) EPA-570/9-75-001, Section 54.001-000-000, and EPA methods 601, 602 and 610;  (13) delete outdated references to Rule 62-761.640, F.A.C.; and (14)  otherwise update, clarify, or simplify water well-related rules.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendments to Chapter 40C-1 will: delete an outdated rule reference, and update, clarify, or simplify a procedural rule regarding variances from water well construction requirements.  The proposed rule amendments to Chapter 40C-3 will: (1) incorporate District’s water well permitting delegation agreements, allowing for local regulation of the construction, repair, and abandonment of certain water wells, as well as general compliance responsibilities, plus a limited ability to grant variances, and repeal one water well permitting delegation agreement; (2) incorporate certain standards and methods contained within rules of the FDEP that are incorporated in Chapter 40C-3; (3) delete outdated rule references and standards; and (4) otherwise update, clarify, or simplify water well-related rules.

To register for SJRWMD’s June 26, 2024 Water Well-Related Rulemaking workshop at 1:00 PM, please click on the link below:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1633514078920168032

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar, including a link to join the webinar and an optional toll-free call-in telephone number.

The St. Johns River Water Management District plans to consider publication of Notices of Proposed Rule during the regularly scheduled Governing Board Meeting on August 13, 2024.  Thus, comments on the draft proposed rules will be due by July 12, 2024.