Summary
The proposed amendments satisfy the legislative mandate of subsection 373.250(3), F.S., that each water management district implement paragraphs 373.250(3)(c) and (d), F.S., through rulemaking. Paragraph 373.250(3)(c), F.S., requires certain permit applicants for a consumptive use of water to provide (as part of their reclaimed water feasibility evaluation) written documentation from a provider of reclaimed water (“the reuse utility”) addressing the availability of reclaimed water to the applicant. The documentation requirement of paragraph (c) applies only for an applicant whose proposed use lies within an area that is served with reclaimed water by a reuse utility or will be so served within five years, as determined by the reuse utility and provided to the district. As required by paragraph 373.250(3)(d), F.S., the proposed rule amendments would specify the content of the documentation required in paragraph (c) on the availability and costs associated with the connection to and the use of reclaimed water, to facilitate the permit applicant’s evaluation of the feasibility of using reclaimed water from the reuse utility providing the information. All the substantive amendments would appear in subsection 10.3(f) of the Applicant’s Handbook for consumptive use permits. The proposed amendment to Rule 40C-2.101, F.A.C., would revise the date of the adopted version of the Handbook, coinciding with the date on which the rule amendments would take effect.