SUBJECT:
Title
Request Approval of Settlement Letter Between Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Marion County Utilities (MCU) (Budget Impact - Neutral)
Body
INITIATOR:
DEPARTMENT:
Jody Kirkman, P.E., Utilities Director
Utilities
DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND:
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (“FDEP”) discovered that Marion County Utilities missed a scheduled lead and copper sample in the Rainbow Lakes Estates water distribution system during the 2022 calendar year, this action is considered a violation of Chapter 62-550 of the Florida Administrative Code (“FAC”). While the sample was taken and the results were within the Minimum Concentration Level (“MCL”) associated with lead and copper, the test was not within the scheduled time period outlined in the water system operating permit. Marion County Utilities took the proactive actions to resolve the missed lead and copper sampling event by following up with the regulatory agency and providing lead and copper test results. FDEP then provided a Settlement Letter between FDEP and Marion County Utilities. The Settlement Letter includes an “In-Kind” project that would offset any specific penalties and the In-Kind project provides improvement to the Rainbow Lakes Estates water distribution system by replacing +/- 600-feet of existing Asbestos Cement (“AC”) water main with approved materials. The Settlement Letter also requires the County to reimburse the FDEP for administrative time associated with the case at cost of $250.00.
BUDGET/IMPACT:
Neutral
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
Motion to approve and authorize the Chairman to execute the Settlement Letter.
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