Home Biscayne aquifer Hydrologic system Water quality Ground-water withdrawal Vulnerability of Biscayne aquifer Future problems of potable supplies Other drinking water sources Summary & References PDF Version

The Biscayne aquifer of southeast Florida is the prime source of drinking water for all municipal water systems south of Palm Beach County. It is a wedge-shaped body of highly permeable limestone and sand which extends from the land surface to a depth of more than 200 ft along the coast and thins out 40 mi west under the Everglades. The aquifer is unconfined and is recharged primarily by rainfall. Discharge from the aquifer is by a system of canals for flood prevention, by pumping wells primarily for public supplies and irrigation, by evapotranspiration, and by subsurface outflow along the coast. The Biscayne aquifer is the prime unit of the hydrologic system managed by the SFWMD.

Ground-water quality of the Biscayne aquifer is affected by: (1) Proximity of areas to the thick organic soils of the Everglades which impart high color; (2) nature of the composition of the aquifer; (3) local land-use and Introduction of pollutants; (4) frequency, intensity, and composition of the rainfall; (5) biological processes at land surface and within the aquifer; (6) chemical reactions among dissolved constituents and between the water and rock: and (7) saltwater intrusion.

Because the aquifer is highly permeable and permits rapid infiltration of rainfall, it is vulnerable to contamination by substances carried downward by recharge water. Furthermore, it is subject to contamination from controlled canals because of the good hydraulic connection between canals and the aquifer. Six major sources of contamination are: (1) Infiltration of runoff from buildings, yards, paved areas, and agricultural areas; (2) infiltration of septic-tank effluent; (3) sewage plant soakage ponds; (4) drainage wells; (5) canals and rock pits; and (6) solid-waste sites.

Water-quality data obtained from a few investigations in septic-tank areas and solid-waste areas have found the most objectionable substances from these sources in the upper 20 to 30 ft of the aquifer. Objectionable substances could be diverted downward in areas of heavy pumping. Dispersion and adsorption tend to reduce the concentrations of polluting substances and the seasonal heavy rainfall and canal discharge contribute toward diluting and flushing the upper zones of the aquifer. Expansion of urbanization into remote areas of high water levels, and the attendant urban runoff could contribute such contaminants as associated with urbanization in presently undeveloped lands, and thereby, affect water quality in downgradient sections of the aquifer.

The peak daily withdrawal from the aquifer for municipal purposes in 1976 was 500 Mgal/d. Another 165 Mgal/d was pumped for irrigation of crops. Most municipal well fields are located within residential or industrial areas. The quality of the raw water at each field reflects the many years of pumping, infiltration of urban runoff, contributions from thousands of septic tanks, agricultural activities, and seasonal rainfall infiltration and canal drainage.

Other sources of freshwater in southeast Florida are Lake Okeechobee and its tributaries. However, water from the lake is already heavily utilized for Irrigation and public-water supplies. Potential supplemental sources of freshwater are desalination of water from the Floridan artesian aquifer, and subsurface storage of excess storm water.

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Mattraw, H. C., Hull, J. E., and Klein, H., 1978, Ground-water quality near the northwest 58th Street solid-waste disposal facility, Dade County, Florida: U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigation 78-45.

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Meyer, F. W., 1971, Preliminary evaluation of hydrologic effects of implementing water and sewerage plans, Dade County, Florida: U.S. Geological Survey open-file report.

Meyer, F. W., 1972, Preliminary evaluation of infiltration from the Miami Canal to well fields in the Miami Springs-Hialeah area, Dade County, Florida: U.S. Geological Survey open-file report.

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Parker, G. G., Ferguson, S. K. Love, and others, 1955, Water Resources of southeastern Florida: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1255.

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Sherwood, C. B., and Klein, H., 1963, Surface and ground-water relation in a highly permeable environment: International Association Scientific Hydrology, Pub. No. 63, Symposium Surface Water, p. 454-468.

Sherwood, C. B., and Leach. S. D., 1962, Hydrologic studies in the Snapper Creek Canal area, Dade County, Florida: Florida Geological Survey Report Investigation 24 Pt. 2.

Sherwood, C. B., and McCoy, H. J., and Galliher, C. F., 1973. Water resources of Broward County, Florida: Florida Bureau of Geology Report Investigation 65.

U.S. Congress, 1974, Safe Drinking Water Act: Public Law 93-523, 88 Stat. 1660, 42 U.S.C.300.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 1962, General soil map of Florida: Florida Agricultural Experiment stations.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1971, Report of waste source inventory and evaluation, Dade County, Florida: Mimeographed report.

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