This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives.
STORAGE NAME: h1163.WST
DATE: 1/26/2024
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/HB 1163 Water Well Contractors
SPONSOR(S): Water Quality, Supply & Treatment Subcommittee, McClain
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS:
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Water Quality, Supply & Treatment
Subcommittee
18 Y, 0 N, As CS Guy-Hudson Curtin
2) Criminal Justice Subcommittee
3) Infrastructure Strategies Committee
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulates water quality to ensure public health and
environmental safety. In particular, DEP regulates contracting and permitting for water wells but delegated its
authority to implement these activities to each of the five Water Management Districts (WMDs). DEP is
responsible for the Onsite Sewage Program relating to onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems
(OSTDSs). County health departments permit and inspect OSTDSs at the direction of DEP.
In Florida, an estimated 2.5 million people rely on private wells for home drinking water. To protect public
health and the environment, Florida law regulates the construction and permitting of water wells. Water well
contractors are required to be licensed to perform construction, repair or abandonment of wells.
Commonly referred to as septic systems, OSTDSs process sewage and wastewater. OSTDS permit applicants
that cannot meet all permitting requirements may apply for a variance. Variance applications are reviewed by
the Variance Review and Advisory Committee (VRAC), which makes recommendations to DEP regarding
action on variance applications.
The bill amends ch. 373, pt. III, F.S., relating to the regulation of water wells and:
Requires an individual to demonstrate 2 years of experience in water well construction in Florida to be
considered for water well contractor licensure.
Prohibits a business entity from advertising water well drilling or construction services if the business
entity is not owned by a licensed water well contractor or employs at least one full-time licensed water
well contactor.
Subjects a business entity to criminal penalties for engaging in unlawful activities.
Requires entities to whom a WMD has delegated certain enforcement powers to consistently apply
disciplinary guidelines.
The bill repeals the VRAC. Thus, DEP would review and grant or deny variance applications according to
statutory requirements without a VRAC recommendation.
The bill has no fiscal impact on state or local governments or the private sector.
The bill has an effective date of July 1, 2024.
STORAGE NAME: h1163.WST PAGE: 2
DATE: 1/26/2024
FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Background
Regulation of Wells
Approximately 23 million American households rely on a private well for drinking water
1
and, in Florida,
an estimated 2.5 million people rely on private wells for home drinking water.
2
Florida law defines a well
as “any excavation that is drilled, cored, bored, washed, driven, dug, jetted or otherwise constructed
when the intended use of such excavation is for the location, acquisition, development or artificial
recharge of groundwater . . . .”
3
Regulations for private water wells are focused on permitting and construction requirements to protect
groundwater from contamination and the health of water users.
4
Because there is less emphasis on
consumer protection, private owners often are unaware of the responsibilities for testing and
maintenance and the expense to repair or replace a water well.
5
As such, Florida law regulates water
well contractor licensure to prevent incompetent contractors from potentially threatening the health of
the public and the environment.
6
“The Legislature finds that a threat to the public and the environment
exists if water resources become contaminated as a result of wells drilled by incompetent or dishonest
contractors . . . .”
7
“[T]o prevent contamination, it is necessary to regulate the construction, repair, and
abandonment of wells, and the persons and businesses responsible therefor.”
8
Water well contracting is governed by ch. 373, pt. III, F.S., relating to regulation of wells and is defined
to mean “all parts necessary to obtain groundwater by wells, including the location and excavation of
the well, but excluding the installation of pumps and pumping equipment.”
9
The Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) regulates water well licensure and permitting within the Division of
Resource Management, Source and Drinking Water program. DEP delegated its authority to license
water well contractors and permit the location, construction, repair and abandonment of water wells to
each of the five Water Management Districts (WMDs).
10
These activities are implemented in Rule
Chapter 62-531, F.A.C., as well as administrative rules for each of the WMDs.
11
A person applying for licensure or renewing a license does so with the WMD where she or he will
perform most of their work; however, a contractor license is valid statewide.
12
Licensure authorizes a
1
The Columbus Telegram, Well Water Tests (Jan. 4, 2024), Well water tests (columbustelegram.com) (last visited Jan. 11, 2024).
2
University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), Private Wells 101: Bacterial Contamination and
Shock Chlorination, (Feb. 16, 2021), SL487/SS700: Private Wells 101: Bacterial Contamination and Shock Chlorination (ufl.edu) (last
visited Jan. 16, 2024).
3
S. 373.303(7), F.S. The definition excludes any well for the purpose of obtaining or prospecting for oil, natural gas, minerals or
products of mining or quarrying; for inserting media to dispose of oil brines or to repressure oil-bearing or natural gas-bearing
formation; for storing petroleum, natural gas or other products; or, for temporary dewatering of subsurface formations for mining,
quarrying or construction purposes.
4
Department of Health (DOH), Well Construction in Florida (last updated Aug. 18, 2022), Well Construction in Florida | Florida
Department of Health (floridahealth.gov) (last visited Jan. 16, 2024).
5
WMFE, Many Floridians with private wells don’t know how to take care of them, (Nov. 21, 2023), Many Floridians with private
wells don’t know how to take care of them (wmfe.org) (last visited Jan. 16, 2024).
6
S. 373.302, F.S.
7
Id.
8
Id.
9
S. 373.302(2), F.S.
10
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Water Well Contractor Licensing and Permitting (last updated Dec. 7, 2022),
Water Well Contractor Licensing and Permitting | Florida Department of Environmental Protection (last visited Jan. 10, 2024).
11
Individual administrative rules for the WMDs are: r. 40A-3, F.A.C., Northwest Florida WMD; r. 40B-3, F.A.C., Suwannee WMD;
r. 40C-3, F.A.C., St. Johns WMD; 40D-3, F.A.C., Southwest Florida WMD; and, r. 40E-3, F.A.C., South Florida WMD.
12
S. 373.323(1), F.S. STORAGE NAME: h1163.WST PAGE: 3
DATE: 1/26/2024
contractor to install, repair and modify pumps and tanks in accordance with the Florida Building Code.
13
A licensed contractor may also install pumps, tanks and water conditioning equipment for all water
systems.
14
Current law cites to the Florida Building Code, Plumbing; Section 612—Wells pumps and
tanks used for private potable water systems. Due to revisions to the Florida Building Code, Section
612 now refers to solar systems and Section 614 refers to water wells.
15
A permit must be obtained from the appropriate WMD or its delegated permitting authority
16
prior to the
construction, repair or abandonment of any water well. Twenty-two Department of Health (DOH) offices
and 4 municipal governments have delegated authority from the respective WMD to permit water well
construction.
17
18
Each person desiring to be licensed as a water well contractor must apply to take the licensure
examination.
19
Application must be made to the WMD where the applicant resides or where his or her
principal place of business is located.
20
A resident of another state must apply to the WMD where most
of the business of the applicant will take place.
21
To take the water well contractor licensure examination, an applicant must:
Be at least 18 years of age.
Have at least 2 years of experience in constructing, repairing or abandoning water wells and
demonstrate satisfactory proof of such experience by providing:
o Evidence of the length of time the applicant has been engaged in the business of the
construction, repair or abandonment of water wells as a major activity, as attested to by a
13
S. 373.323(10), F.S.
14
Id.
15
Florida Building Code (2023), CHAPTER 6 WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, 2023 Florida Building Code, Plumbing,
Eighth Edition | ICC Digital Codes (iccsafe.org) (last visited Jan. 16, 2024).
16
S. 373.308(1), F.S. Some WMDs delegate drinking water well oversight to local county health department or other entities. DOH,
Well Construction in Florida, supra note 4.
17
DOH, Find Your Well Permitting Agency, Florida's Local Well Permitting Agencies Lookup (arcgis.com) (last visited Jan. 11,
2024).
18
DOH, Water Well Permitting Responsible Agency (July 24, 2023), countyprograms-well-permitting1.pdf (floridahealth.gov) (last
visited Jan. 11, 2024).
19
S. 373.323(2), F.S.
20
Id.
21
Id. STORAGE NAME: h1163.WST PAGE: 4
DATE: 1/26/2024
letter from a water well contractor or a letter from a water well inspector employed by a
governmental agency.
o A list of at least 10 water wells the applicant has constructed, repaired or abandoned within
the preceding 5 years. Of these wells, at least 7 must have been constructed by the
applicant and according to state law. The list must also include:
The name and address of the owner(s) of each well.
The location, primary use and approximate depth and diameter of each well the
applicant has constructed, repaired or abandoned.
The approximate date the construction, repair or abandonment of each well was
completed.
Have completed the application form and remitted a nonrefundable application fee.
22
A WMD must issue a license to an applicant who: satisfies all requirements; passes the examination;
pays the fee; and, completes a minimum of 12 hours of approved coursework.
23
A WMD may grant an
exemption to one or more licensure requirements if the WMD finds that: compliance with all regulatory
requirements would result in undue hardship to the extent necessary to ameliorate such undue
hardship; and, to the extent such exemption can be granted without impairing the intent and purpose of
state law relating to regulation of wells.
24
Licensure renewal is conditioned upon completing 12 hours of
continuing education.
25
Generally, s. 373.333, F.S., addresses impermissible activities by a licensee and provides for a fine up
to $5,000 per occurrence against a person engaged in the unlicensed practice of water well
contracting.
26
Disciplinary guidelines for water well licensees are set by DEP with input from the WMDs
and industry representatives.
27
Disciplinary action may be taken by a WMD upon a finding of reasonable grounds
28
and the WMD must
provide written notice regarding an alleged violation by service of process or registered mail.
29
A WMD
must apply disciplinary guidelines consistently.
30
Disciplinary guidelines must:
Specify a meaningful range of designated penalties based upon the severity and repetition of
specific offenses;
Distinguish minor violations from those which endanger public health, safety, and welfare or
contaminate the water resources; and,
Inform the public of likely penalties which may be imposed for proscribed conduct.
31
Any WMD may impose disciplinary action without regard to where or in which WMD the activity took
place.
32
Water well contracting unlicensed activity is also subject to criminal penalties as is engaging in willful or
repeated violations of laws or rules for activities which endanger public health, safety and welfare.
33
Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems
22
S. 373.323(3), F.S.
23
S. 373.323(5), F.S.
24
S. 373.326 (1), F.S.
25
S. 373.324, F.S. See also r. 62-531.330, F.A.C.; DEP, Water Well Contractor Continuing Education Program (last updated Dec. 7,
2022), Water Well Contractor Continuing Education Program | Florida Department of Environmental Protection (last visited Jan. 16,
2024).
26
S. 373.333(8), F.S.
27
S. 373.333(1), F.S.
28
S. 373.333(2), F.S.
29
S. 373.333(3), F.S.
30
S. 373.333(1), F.S.
31
373.333(1)(a) – (c), F.S.
32
S. 373.333(1), F.S. (flush left provision).
33
S. 373.336(3), F.S., provides that violations are punishable as a misdemeanor in the second degree. Continued violations are treated
as separate, by day, counts. STORAGE NAME: h1163.WST PAGE: 5
DATE: 1/26/2024
The proper treatment and disposal or reuse of domestic wastewater is an important part of protecting
Florida’s water resources. A person generates approximately 100 gallons of domestic wastewater
34
per
day.
35
This wastewater must be managed to protect public health, water quality, recreation, fish, wildlife
and the aesthetic appeal of the state’s waterways.
36
The majority of Florida’s domestic wastewater is
controlled and treated by centralized treatment facilities regulated by DEP. However, there are an
estimated 2.6 million onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDSs) in Florida, providing
wastewater disposal for 30 percent of the state’s population.
37
An OSTDS, commonly referred to as “septic system,” generally consist of two basic parts: the septic
tank and the drainfield.
38
Waste from toilets, sinks, washing machines and showers flows through a
pipe into the septic tank, where anaerobic bacteria break the solids into a liquid form. The liquid portion
of the wastewater flows into the drainfield, which is generally a series of perforated pipes or panels
surrounded by lightweight materials such as gravel or Styrofoam. The drainfield provides a secondary
treatment where aerobic bacteria continue deactivating the germs. The drainfield also provides filtration
of the wastewater, as gravity draws the water down through the soil layers.
39
In a conventional OSTDS, a septic tank does not reduce nitrogen from the raw sewage. Approximately
30-40 percent of the nitrogen levels are reduced in the drainfield of a system that is installed 24 inches
or more from groundwater in Florida.
40
This still leaves a significant amount of nitrogen to percolate into
the groundwater which makes nitrogen from OSTDSs a potential contaminant in groundwater.
41
34
S. 367.021(5), F.S., defines “domestic wastewater” as wastewater principally from dwellings, business buildings, institutions and
sanitary wastewater or sewage treatment plants.
35
DEP, Domestic Wastewater Program, https://floridadep.gov/water/domestic-wastewater (last visited Jan. 16, 2024).
36
Ss. 381.0065(1) and 403.021, F.S.
37
DEP, Onsite Sewage Program, https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage (last visited Jan. 16, 2024).
38
DOH, Septic System Information and Care (last updated Oct. 17, 2014), http://columbia.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-
services/environmental-health/onsite-sewage-disposal/septic-information-and-care.html (last visited Jan. 16, 2024); Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), Types of Septic Systems (last updated Aug. 7, 2023), https://www.epa.gov/septic/types-septic-systems (last
visited Jan. 16, 2024).
39
Id.
40
DOH, Florida Onsite Sewage Nitrogen Reduction Strategies Study, Final Report 2008-2015, p. 18 (Dec. 31 2015),
https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage/research/finalnitrogenlegislativereportsmall.pdf (last visited Jan.
18, 2024); see r. 62-6.006(2), F.A.C.
41
UF/IFAS, Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Nitrogen, p. 3 (Oct. 29 2020),
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/SS/SS55000.pdf (last visited Jan. 16, 2024). STORAGE NAME: h1163.WST PAGE: 6
DATE: 1/26/2024
In Florida, development in some areas is dependent on OSTDSs due to the cost and time it takes to
install central sewer systems.
42
For example, in rural areas and low-density developments, central
sewer systems are not cost-effective. Less than 1 percent of OSTDSs are actively managed under
operating permits and maintenance agreements.
43
The remainder of systems are generally serviced
only when they fail, often leading to costly repairs that could have been avoided with routine
maintenance.
44
The Onsite Sewage Program (Program) is responsible for implementing laws and regulations relating to
OSTDSs in Florida as proper design, construction and maintenance of septic systems is important to
help protect groundwater.
45
The Clean Waterways Act, enacted in 2020, provided for the transfer of the
Program from the Department of Health (DOH) to DEP, effective July 1, 2021.
46
The Program will be
transferred over a period of 5 years and guidelines for the transfer are provided by an interagency
agreement.
47
Per the agreement, DEP has the primary powers and duties of the Program; the county
health departments implement the Program under DEP’s direction and perform OSTDS permitting and
inspection.
48
In the event of an alleged violation of OSTDS laws, a county health department is
responsible for conducting an inspection to gather information regarding the allegations.
49
Prior to the Program’s transfer, DOH operated the variance review process and the Variance Review
and Advisory Committee (VRAC); DEP took over the process and VRAC as a part of the transfer and
operates it according to the same state law and administrative rules.
50
The VRAC is supposed to meet
monthly
51
according to a schedule maintained by DEP
52
and is made up of specific OSTDS
stakeholders and the Secretary of DEP.
53
The VRAC recommends agency action on variance
applications for OSTDS permitting and construction requirements.
54
Variances may be granted in
hardship cases and may be less restrictive than the OSTDS provisions required by statute and rule.
55
A
variance may not be granted until DEP is satisfied that:
The hardship was not caused intentionally by the action of the applicant;
A reasonable alternative, taking into consideration factors such as cost, does not exist for the
treatment of the sewage; and,
The discharge from the OSTDS will not adversely affect the health of the applicant or the public
or significantly degrade the groundwater or surface waters.
56
The VRAC makes its recommendations on variance requests at the meeting in which the application is
scheduled for consideration, except for: an extraordinary change in circumstances; the receipt of new
42
DOH, Report on Range of Costs to Implement a Mandatory Statewide 5-Year Septic Tank Inspection Program, § 1.0 (Oct. 1, 2008),
http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage/research/_documents/rrac/2008-11-06.pdf (last visited Jan. 16,
2024). The report begins on page 56 of the PDF.
43
Id.
44
Id.
45
DEP, Onsite Sewage Program, supra note 37.
46
Ch. 2020-150, s. 2, Laws of Fla.
47
DOH and DEP, Interagency Agreement between DEP and DOH in Compliance with Florida’s Clean Waterways Act for Transfer of
the Onsite Sewage Program, p. 5 (June 30, 2021), http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/onsite-
sewage/_documents/interagency-agreement-between-fdoh-fdep-onsite-signed-06302021.pdf (last visited Jan. 16, 2024).
48
Id., pp. 14, 11; DEP, Onsite Sewage Program, supra note 37.
49
DOH and DEP, Interagency Agreement between DEP and DOH in Compliance with Florida’s Clean Waterways Act for Transfer of
the Onsite Sewage Program, supra note 47, p. 11.
50
S. 381.0065, F.S., and ch. 62-6, F.A.C. See DEP, Variances (last updated Dec. 27, 2023), Variances | Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (last visited Jan. 16, 2024).
51
S. 381.0065(4)(h)2., F.S.
52
DEP, Variances, supra note 50.
53
S. 381.0065(4)(h)2., F.S. Members are appointed for 3-year, staggered term and serve without remuneration except for per diem and
travel expenses. S. 381.0065(4)(h), F.S. (flush left provision).
54
S. 381.0065(4)(h)2., F.S. (2020).
55
Section 381.0065(4)(h), F.S.
56
S. 381.0065(4)(h)1.a - c, F.S. STORAGE NAME: h1163.WST PAGE: 7
DATE: 1/26/2024
information that raises new issues; or, when the applicant requests an extension.
57
The VRAC must
“strive to allow property owners the full use of their land where possible.”
58
Effect of the Bill
The bill conditions eligibility to take the water well contractor licensure exam on having 2 years of
experience in constructing, repairing or abandoning water wells permitted in this state which may be
demonstrated by providing a list of 10 water wells permitted in this state that the applicant has
constructed.
The bill requires water well contractor disciplinary guidelines to be consistently applied by delegated
permitting authorities. When a WMD or delegated authority finds grounds for an alleged violation of
disciplinary guidelines, the bill requires notice to be provided via certified mail.
The bill includes a business entity in addition to an individual that may be subject to the imposition of
criminal penalties for violations of specific well water contractor activities. It prohibits a business entity
from advertising water well drilling or construction services if the business entity is not owned by a
licensed water well contractor or employs at least one full-time licensed water well contactor.
The bill updates a reference to Ch. 6, Plumbing, of the Florida Building Code, to Section 614, Wells,
Pumps and Tanks Used for Private Potable Water Systems.
The bill repeals s. 381.0065(4)(h)2., F.S., relating to the OSTDS VRAC. DEP would review and grant or
deny variance applications according to statutory requirements without a VRAC recommendation.
B. SECTION DIRECTORY:
Section 1: Amends section 373.323, F.S., relating to the licensure of water well contractors;
application, qualifications, and examinations; equipment identification.
Section 2: Amends section 373.333, F.S., relating to disciplinary guidelines; adoption and
enforcement; license suspension or revocation.
Section 3: Amends section 373.336, F.S., relating to unlawful acts; penalties.
Section 4: Amends section 381.0065, F.S., relating to onsite sewage treatment and disposal
systems; regulation.
Section 5: Provides an effective date of July 1, 2024.
II. FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
1. Revenues:
57
S. 381.0065(4)(h)2., F.S.
58
Id. STORAGE NAME: h1163.WST PAGE: 8
DATE: 1/26/2024
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR:
None.
D. FISCAL COMMENTS:
None.
III. COMMENTS
A. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES:
1. Applicability of Municipality/County Mandates Provision:
Not applicable. This bill does not appear to require counties or municipalities to spend funds or take
action requiring the expenditure of funds; reduce the authority that counties or municipalities have to
raise revenues in the aggregate; or reduce the percentage of state tax shared with counties or
municipalities.
2. Other:
None.
B. RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY:
None.
C. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS:
None.
IV. AMENDMENTS/COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES
On January 24, 2024, the Water Quality, Supply and Treatment Subcommittee adopted a Proposed Committee
Substitute (PCS) and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. The PCS:
Conforms language to the Senate companion.
Repeals the VRAC, the entity that recommends to DEP agency action on variance applications for
OSTDS permitting and construction requirements.
This analysis is drafted to the committee substitute as approved by the Water Quality, Supply and Treatment
Subcommittee.