Florida's
Domestic Wastewater to Wetlands Rule
Chapter
62-611, F.A.C., provides State
regulations and standards for domestic wastewater discharges to wetlands.
Wastewater
wetland definitions, per Chapter 62-611, F.A.C., for some of
the terms below are provided as a link. Clicking on that link will
take you to the definition of that term.
Rule
History
On March 1, 1979, the Department formally
recognized the potential of wetlands as a means of providing wastewater treatment and
adopted an exemption for the experimental
use of wetlands (now Rule 62-600.120(3), F.A.C.). In April 1986, as a result of the 1984
Warren S. Henderson Act, the Department adopted specific regulations and standards
(17-6.055, F.A.C.) which codified the permitting of wetlands for treatment of domestic
wastewater such that the type, nature, and function of wetlands would be protected. Three
and one half years after the wastewater to wetlands regulations were promulgated (circa
November 1989), a separate chapter of the Florida Administrative Code was dedicated to the
wastewater to wetlands regulations (Chapter 17-611, F.A.C.). Currently, the Department
regulates domestic wastewater discharge activities in wetlands through Chapter 62-611,
F.A.C.
Rule
Basics
The wastewater to
wetlands rule controls (1) the quality and quantity of wastewater
which may be discharged to wetlands and (2) the quality of water
discharged from wetlands to contiguous surface waters. It also
provides water quality, vegetation, and wildlife standards which
provide protection of other wetland functions and values, and
establishes permitting procedures and extensive monitoring
requirements for wastewater discharges to wetlands.
Chapter
62-611, F.A.C., classifies wetlands based on the level of
treatment provided by the wastewater facility (secondary treatment with
nitrification or
advanced wastewater treatment),
background hydrology of the wetland (hydrologically altered
or hydrologically unaltered), wetland’s origin (man-made
or natural), and the type of vegetation (herbaceous
or
woody).
For a graphic representation of the array of wetland systems
types, according to the classification system found in Chapter
62-611, FAC, which may be permitted by the Department (without a
variance from the rules), see the
Domestic
Wastewater Wetlands Chart.
The rule promotes the use of man-made (constructed) and
hydrologically altered wetlands by requiring less monitoring and
allowing higher hydraulic and nutrient loading rates for those
systems. These regulatory incentives attempt to create and restore
wetlands. Many wetland systems are classified as reuse of
reclaimed water per Rule 62-610.810(g), F.A.C., which states that
wetlands creation, restoration, and enhancement projects....shall
be classified as "reuse."
Environmental
Resource Permitted (Wetlands Dredge and Fill)
What Chapter 62-611,
F.A.C., does not regulate is the determination of and the
dredging and filling within wetlands. This is done through the
Wetland
Environmental Resource Permit
program (SLERP) and Chapter 62-340, F.A.C. For more information on wetland
resource permitting it is best to contact the SLERP program of the
appropriate DEP district office.
Wastewater to Wetland Resources
Back to Wastewater | Compliance
| Domestic | Industrial
Homepages
