Can We Protect Our Ground Water Supply in East-Central Florida? Using Management Strategies and Alternative Water Supplies

In Florida, the traditional water supply source has been groundwater.  In recent years the explosive growth has reduced the available “safe yield” to critical levels in the Upper Floridan aquifer, one of the most productive fresh water aquifer systems in the world and the primary drinking water aquifer of the region.  In fact, recent water supply plan updates and studies confirm that if this traditional source continues to be developed, harm to the water resources will occur in the form of saltwater intrusion, lowering of the water table, and a serious reduction in flow to springs, streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands and aquifer water quality.
The area surrounding the east-central Florida overlaps the three largest water management districts in Florida.  The districts have estimated that 200 million gallons per day (mgd) of alternative water supplies from sources other than the Floridan aquifer needs to be developed by 2025.  The Floridan aquifer can supply some but not all of the 340 mgd of projected increased water use (between the years 1995 and 2020).  Naturally occurring sources of water and management strategies that are adequate to meet the projected demands include:

• Fresh and slightly saline surface water
  
• Brackish ground water
  
• Seawater
  
• Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR)
  
• Water Conservation
  
• Use of Reclaimed Water
  
• Water Supply Interconnections
  
• Artificial and Direct Recharge
  

Two surface water projects currently in the preliminary design phase include the Yankee Lake and St. Johns River (SJR)/Taylor Creek Reservoir Project.  Two other surface water projects are being considered including another on the SJR and one in the Kissimmee River Basin.  These projects may include ASR, direct recharge, surface storage, and interconnections.  This paper provides an overview of the sources and strategies being implemented to project and sustain the Floridan aquifer system.