The order, OGC No.: 09-0097, granted a petition for variance received on January 14, 2009, from Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (“Petitioner”) to reduce the water treatment plant staffing requirements in paragraph 62-699.310(2)(e) and subsection ...

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on May 18, 2009, the Department of Environmental Protection has issued an order.
The order, OGC No.: 09-0097, granted a petition for variance received on January 14, 2009, from Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (“Petitioner”) to reduce the water treatment plant staffing requirements in paragraph 62-699.310(2)(e) and subsection 62-699.311(4), F.A.C. Petitioner petitioned for the variance in order to provide a level of water treatment plant operator staffing that is less than what is required or allowed by the above rules. The notice of receipt was published in the Florida Administrative Weekly on February 13, 2009. No public comment was received. Petitioner demonstrated that this variance was appropriate, meets the underlying purpose of the statutes, which is protection of public health, because Petitioner can properly operate its water treatment plants and booster disinfection stations by staffing them at the level discussed in the Petition. Petitioner demonstrated a substantial hardship because a strict application of the above rules would result in a significant amount of unneeded staffing at Petitioner’s water treatment plants, resulting in a financial hardship to the Petitioner.
A copy of the Order may be obtained by contacting: Virginia Harmon, DEP, MS #3520, 2600 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400, [phone].