Reuse Coordinating Group

Several state agencies are involved in reuse. In order to effectively coordinate the state’s reuse program, DEP, PSC, and the five water management districts formed the Reuse Coordinating Group (formerly known as the Reuse Coordinating Committee) in 1992. Today, the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) are also members of the group. The group coordinates reuse related activities and promotes communication between the member agencies.

DEP coordinates the reuse program, administers the domestic wastewater permitting program, and has the primary responsibility for administering water quality programs. DEP’s Reuse Coordinator chairs the group. The water management districts are responsible for designating water resource caution areas, issuing consumptive use permits, and other water quantity issues. Water management districts may impose reuse requirements in consumptive use permits for facilities in water resource caution areas. The PSC regulates rates for investor-owned utilities located in 37 Florida counties. These utilities are able to distribute the costs of reuse facilities among water, wastewater, and reclaimed water customers. DOH serves as a technical advisor for public health issues. DACS is involved in agricultural reuse projects.

In 1991, DEP in cooperation with the five water management districts and PSC published the Guidelines for Preparation of Reuse Feasibility Studies for Applicants Having Responsibility for Wastewater Management in order to define the contents of reuse feasibility studies for cities, counties, and other entities required to prepare them.

List of Reuse Coordinating Group Participating Agencies.

• Department of Environmental Protection
• District Offices of the Department of Environmental Protection
• Department of Health
• Department of Transportation
• Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs
• St. Johns River Water Management District
• South Florida Water Management District
• Northwest Florida Water Management District
• Suwannee River Water Management District
• Southwest Florida Water Management District