Groundwater impacts during water shortages in the south Florida water management district
South Florida has historically experienced periods of below normal rainfall, without significant impacts on groundwater availability. However, rapidly increasing demands due to urbanization, intensification of agricultural land use, and the proximity of many public water supply wellfields to coastal saline water have contributed to recent water shortages. Analysis of conditions in the Floridan, Intermediate, and Surficial aquifer systems at selected locations indicate that reductions in water levels, as a result of increased development, have caused locally unstable conditions. This combined with other factors cause certain areas to be prone to water shortage emergencies although adequate resources may be available in other areas. In coastal areas the landward migration of the saltwater front into the surficial aquifers has been documented, and is the major concern in restricting water use. Where aquifers of low productivity are utilized, falling water levels have forced curtailment of supply due to well failure and the threat of vertical or lateral saline water intrusion. In the deeper artesian aquifers, the reduction of flowing head limits the ability to obtain water through free flowing wells. Recommended strategies to maximize yields from these aquifers during droughts include: (1) development of alternate sources, (2) reduction of high quality water demand through the use of reclaimed water and water conservation, (3) protection of present and future wellfield sites and their recharge areas, (4) land use controls to protect water quality and quantity, and (5) augmentation of groundwater supplies through artificial recharge during periods when supplies are abundant.
- Research Organization:
- South Florida Water Management District, West Palm Beach (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5893039
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8510489-
- Journal Information:
- Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States), Vol. 17; Conference: 98. annual meeting of the Geological Society of America, Orlando, FL, USA, 28-31 Oct 1985
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUIFERS
HYDROLOGY
WATER TABLES
WATER USE
FLORIDA
GROUND WATER
SHORTAGES
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
SUPPLY AND DEMAND
WATER REQUIREMENTS
WATER SUPPLY
FEDERAL REGION IV
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
USA
WATER
580100* - Geology & Hydrology- (-1989)
520100 - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (-1989)