Sen. Jason Brodeur proposes bill to stop contaminants from spilling into Florida waters

LAKE MARY, Fla. – Sen. Jason Brodeur, R-Lake Mary, filed a bill for the legislative session to prevent pollutants from discharging into Florida waters and wastewater facilities.

Contaminants of emerging concern, as marked by SB 1692, include per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as “PFAS”. The proposal also warns of perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOA, and perfluorooctane sulfonate, PFOS.

PFOS are to be limited to 10 nanograms per liter by July 1, 2026. PFOA’s also are to be capped by 170 nanograms per liter by the date, according to the bill.

In addition, 1,4 Dixoane is to be restricted to 200,000 nanograms per liter.

According to the legislation, the pollutants would be processed through a pretreatment facility. Furthermore, the chemicals are reduced through a physical, chemical, or a biological process.

Wastewater facilities, as explained in the bill, includes any storage that discharges pollutants into Florida waters. It also describes sources which can be “reasonably be expected” of water pollution.

Examples of wastewater treatment are listed below:

• The collection and transmission system
• The wastewater treatment works
• The reuse or disposal system
• The biosolids management facility

All substances of PFAS and 1,4 dioxane are to be established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, according to the bill. The report further indicates all chemical inventory through wastewater facilities must be identified between June 1, 2025 and July 1, 2025.

Any follow-up guidance issued by the department is to be given by Sept. 1.

If passed, SB 1692 would take effect July 1.