LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
MAY 7, 2021

I would like to thank each of you for your quick response to yesterday’s Call to Action.  I received a call from the Florida Department of Health (FL DOH) last night with a follow-up email this morning.  Please see their statement from the email below.  FOWA will continue to work with other industry professionals to
|develop the necessary language for a permanent solution over the coming months for next year’s legislative session.
Have a great weekend, Roxanne

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DOH Update on the Certified Environmental Health Professional (CEHP) in Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems

This update addresses the effect of the 2020 changes to section 381.0101, Florida Statutes, by the Florida Clean Waterways Act (SB712), to the Certified Environmental Health Professional (CEHP) certification in Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems.  The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), jointly referred to as agencies, have agreed that the certification in this program area will continue.

For the current CEHP certification and renewal period ending September 30, 2021, the existing procedures will remain in place. CEHPs requesting renewal will do so as usual through the CEHP program office in the DOH Bureau of Environmental Health.The certification will be required for employees of either agency performing environmental health or sanitary evaluation of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS), as well as private site evaluators.

---------- FROM MAY 6, 2021----------

Industry Professionals,

The legislative session ended last week without passing language necessary to correct an oversight from 2020’s SB712 .
Please use the link below to find your elected representatives and send a letter to each on your company's letterhead.

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/representatives

Additionally, reaching out to your local government officials will help raise awareness of this upcoming crisis.
Please feel free to share this letter. Your industry appreciates your support!

For CEU class or convention activities registration, membership, advertising in FOWA publications or bookkeeping contact the FOWA Administrative Office - Telephone: (863) 845-5262  Fax: 877-832-9434  Email: admin@fowaonsite.com

For public relations or technical information contact Executive Director, Roxanne Groover, Telephone: (863) 845-5262  Fax: 877-832-9434  Email: rgroover@fowaonsite.com

FOWA's White Paper is now available.
Be sure to read it and share!

FOWA Mission Statement:

The Florida Onsite Wastewater Association is an organized group of those engaged in the manufacturing, installation, repair or maintenance of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems, plus firms that service and supply the industry.  Members are dedicated to protecting the health of Florida’s residents and maintaining the environment through sound ecological practices.  They attempt to improve the quality of onsite sewage treatment and disposal system products and installation procedures and furnish information to the public and health authorities.