The Florida Aquifer, technically named the Floridan Aquifer, is one of the largest and most productive aquifer systems in the world. The Floridan Aquifer provides water for irrigation, household, agricultural and industrial use, livestock, plants, wildlife and most importantly, drinking water to the vast majority of Floridians throughout the state. Obviously, for this reason, the Floridan Aquifer is a natural resource of extreme importance which must be protected against Aquifer Storage and Recovery wells used for injection of partially treated sewage effluent.
In many areas throughout the United States Aquifer Storage and Recovery is becoming a common practice that has increased over the last 10 to 20 years in areas of high water demand and short supply.
Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR), is injection of treated or untreated water that meets the water quality standards of drinking water into the aquifer through an ASR injection well for later use. The aquifer functions as a storage facility when water is plentiful. When water is in demand due to short supply, some of the injected water can then be recovered for use as drinking water, irrigation or other use. The level of treatment required after storage depends on the use of the water, whether for public consumption as drinking water, surface water augmentation, irrigation, or wetlands enhancement.
Sounds like a reasonable solution to a water shortage if done so properly, laws, rules, and regulations are followed, but many times this is simply not the case.
Growth has been out of control in many areas throughout the state of Florida, the fourth largest state in the U.S. Due to the large and expanding population, quality drinking water and water for irrigation is in short supply especially during dry periods. Our state simply does not have the water resources necessary or the water treatment infrastructure necessary to support the population growth in some of these areas.
Since Florida is a peninsula, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the Florida Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico, ASR is a risky practice to say the least, that could prove to be a very grave threat to the residents of Florida, the Floridan Aquifer, our main source of drinking water, and the environment in general.
In many areas throughout Florida partially treated sewage effluent and toxic waste water from various sources is currently being pumped into wells 1,000 to 2,000 feet deep under the Aquifer Storage and Recovery concept. There are 18 aquifer and storage recovery well fields in Florida that have about 65 wells among them, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.
The idea that this waste water is permanently confined within the injection zone and will never cause a problem is absolutely false. The walls surrounding the aquifer are made up of porous rock which allows the water to migrate to other veins or caverns within the aquifer and beyond traveling great distances in a short period of time reaching local wells and is known to surface as springs on land and sea.
Scientists using geological surveys dig, probe, drill, sample, and study the Floridan Aquifer, but no one really knows what goes on within the caverns and veins of an aquifer as water travels hundreds, even thousands of feet below the surface of the earth. It is proven, drilling large diameter wells can cause structural damage to the aquifer, cracking the ceiling and or walls of the aquifer allowing water to migrate to other areas of the aquifer and area wells.
Dye testing has been done in some areas of concern where ASR is in practice.
Dye is injected directly into a well, then water contained within other local wells or test wells drilled for this purpose are checked to see if the dyed water has migrated. This actually provides little proof as the dyed water may travel a long distance before effecting another well and mixes with the natural aquifer water becoming diluted to the point it cannot be identified. Dye testing is known to be inaccurate in many cases, but it has proven water within an aquifer can travel great distances very quickly.
Aquifer Storage And Recovery Of Sewage Effluent And Other Waste Water Is A Weapon of Mass Destruction!
Waste water effluent is highly toxic, known to contain deadly bacteria, viruses,traces of pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs, numerous toxic chemicals including Endocrine Disrupters, Volatile Organic Chemicals, Pesticides and Herbicides, Fluoride, Arsenic and Heavy Metals such as Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Lead, Mercury, and Zinc.
Partially treated sewage effluent is thought to be safe by some, but this is far from the truth. Simple sand bed filtration commonly used to filter sewage only removes solids and does not remove the hazardous chemicals.
Ultra violet light treatment to kill bacteria and viruses is not that effective simply because treatment plants move a lot of water in a days time, more than likely the water is not going to be subjected to the UV light for a long enough period of time to do any good.
Chlorination will kill the viruses and bacteria, but at the same time causes another problem. Disinfection By-Products are created during chlorination. Disinfection by-Products are known to cause cancer, reproductive problems, nervous system, kidney, and liver problems. Solid Carbon Filtration following disinfection can solve this problem.
Modern treatment facilities using state of the art multi-media filtration systems that include solid carbon technology in conjunction with reverse osmosis would be capable of producing safe drinking water. Many communities with older treatment plants are still using outdated technology and simply cannot afford to upgrade their treatment facilities to treat sewage effluent to such a high degree.
Protect Yourself, Your Kids, and Your Pets! Don't Drink The Water From ASR Wells Meant For Irrigation! Don't Even Allow It To Touch Your Skin! Do Not Drink From Your Garden Hose!
Sewage effluent effects mammals of all kinds including humans. The toxic chemicals in waste water are proven to cause cancer, reproductive problems, nervous system disorders, kidney and liver damage, is highly toxic to humans, especially pregnant women, infants, children, older people, and people with immune deficiencies.
Skin eating disease is on the increase in Florida. The water recovered by ASR wells for irrigation may contain the bacteria responsible.
Here in Florida, we have a very precious, diverse, and delicate ecosystem. Too numerous to mention, many of our plants, animals, fish, and birds are endangered.
The last thing we need in Florida is the detrimental environmental effects associated with the injection of sewage effluent and waste water into the Florida Aquifer via ASR wells.
Evidence is mounting in regards to the devastating effects of ASR waste water injection. It is becoming obvious to many, especially to owners of private wells, beach goers, surfers, fishermen, and divers. Coastal areas near deep (1,000 - 2,000 Feet) ASR Sewage Injection Sites are experiencing a lot of irreparable damage. Coral reefs are dying, red tides, increased algae bloom, water plants (both fresh and saltwater) are disappearing, the health of endangered sea turtles is at risk, fish numbers are in decline, and all marine life in general are suffering the ill effects of ASR.
Recently, a new ASR well was constructed in Rockledge, Florida for the purpose of storing water derived from partially treated waste water and sewage effluent. The Rockledge ASR Project is creating quite a stir. The Rockledge Aquifer Storage and Recovery Well Sewage Effluent Injection Project has many residents of Rockledge, and surrounding Brevard County and environmental groups alike highly concerned about this controversial issue.
Rockledge, a small city of approximately 25,000 people neighboring Cocoa Beach and the Indian River Lagoon is located in Brevard County. Many residents of Brevard County own private wells used for drinking water.
The Indian River Lagoon, an Ecological Resource of National Significance, is less than 1/2 a mile from the well site. A large area of the Lagoon is within a 1-mile radius of the well. More than a dozen springs originating from the Floridan Aquifer flow directly into the lagoon.
Obviously, the City, St Johns River Water Management and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection have not considered the environmental impact of this experimental well will have on Indian River Lagoon.
The city contends local wells will not be effected by the new ASR well and have defined the ordinance to close down local wells within the one mile radius to be an extra safety measure. The truth is, the city officials of Rockledge have no clue as to where the injected water will travel or what damage it could possibly cause.
The city's intention is to inject partially treated sewage effluent into the ASR well at a depth of 3 to 5 hundred feet to be used as irrigation water for lawns, golf courses, and agricultural interests during dry periods. The city contends that the well, which will store up to 120 million gallons, can help guard against water shortfalls and tightening water restrictions and will not effect local wells used for drinking water outside of the one mile radius.
Construction of the Rocklege ASR Project should be complete in June 2009. The city of Rockledge will then seek a permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to operate the well. The permit will have to be modified before the actual injection of sewage effluent can take place. By law, testing will be required to determine the extent of migration within the Floridan Aquifer, the state's main underground source of drinking water.
Being so shallow, only 500 feet, this is the first well of its kind for the purpose of injecting partially treated sewage effluent. Currently, there are two other ASR wells being constructed/tested on the west coast in Tampa and Ft. Meyers for the purpose of injecting partially treated sewage.
City commissioners voted 6 - 0 to approve the project. Officials claim the injected sewage effluent will be contained within the cavern of the aquifer and that it will not migrate, effect drinking water, nor cause harm to neighboring wells, or create any environmental problems. Officials also claim the water will be treated to drinking water standards.
One group of over 400 residents has formed a grass roots organization named Save Our Aquifer to stop the injection of sewage effluent and other waste water, 300 to 500 feet deep, into the newly constructed 500 foot deep, very shallow, ASR well drilled directly into the Florida Aquifer. See their website: www.saveouraquifer.org
Members of Save Our Aquifer are waging a campaign against the well because they are concerned the injected water will migrate from the injection site, contaminate local wells fouling water supplies, cause environmental damage, and ultimately contaminate area drinking water resources.
Another concern they have is residents loss of water rights. Back in 2006 the city made an ordinance requiring all private wells within a one mile radius of the new well be shut down. Members of Save Our Aquifer are attempting to inform the public about the risks involved surrounding the new well. At this point, many residents in Rockledge and surrounding Brevard County do not even know about the well.
Members of Save Our Aquifer and many other people believe the city's claim that the water produced by this well will be safe is totally false. The city ordinance closing down all private wells within a mile radius of the ASR well site back in 2006 tends to conflict with the claim by the city that the injected sewage effluent will be potable or treated to drinking water standards prior to injection.
As mentioned previously, the water within the aquifer is contained by porous rock which allows does allow migration. The wall of the aquifer in question is only 30 to 35 feet thick.
FACT- The injection zone, 300 to 500 feet deep, is directly within the Floridan Aquifer. The Floridan Aquifer begins approximately 135 feet deep. It does not need to migrate to reach the Floridan Aquifer because SEWAGE EFFLUENT WILL BE INJECTED DIRECTLY INTO THE FLORIDAN AQUIFER - Our Number 1 SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER.
Officials claim this project is not about recharging the aquifer, nor getting rid of sewage effluent water. Officials say it is all about storing the water within the aquifer for a short time until needed during the dry season for irrigation purposes.
Many people feel that the Rockledge ASR project is not only about water storage. Every town or city has the problem - what to do with sewage effluent. This may just be a cheap solution to that problem.
Even cheaper for Rockledge than most realize because the city of Rockledge is actually only paying for approximately half this project. The other half is being paid for by a grant given to the city by the Saint Johns River Water Management District and another grant from Florida Forever. I find this to be amazing as I was always under the impression the St Johns River Water Management District and Florida Forever was all about protecting our resources.
From what I am seeing on the internet, judging from past performances of these ASR projects injecting partially treated sewage into the Underground Source of Drinking Water (USDW), the injected water will mix with the existing natural water contained within the Florida Aquifer, will migrate to other areas within the aquifer, the surrounding area effecting other wells and the environment in general, and only a small amount of the actual injected water will ever be recovered.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Website, currently there are more than 125 active Class I ASR injection wells operating in Florida. The majority of the Class I injection well facilities in Florida dispose of non hazardous effluent from domestic wastewater treatment plants. The injection wells are required to be constructed, operated, and maintained so that the injected water remains in the injection zone. Migration or transfer of water between aquifers is prohibited. All Class I injection wells are monitored so that if migration of injection fluids were to occur it would be detected before reaching the Underground Source of Drinking Water. The FDEP website also indicates that ASR wells are capable of storing treated drinking water as well as treated or raw surface or groundwater and that water injected into ASR wells must meet Florida's drinking water quality standards, therefore, the water must be properly treated to drinking water quality standards.
I believe the shallow ASR well in Rockledge will be the first on the East Coast of Florida to store partially treated sewage effluent directly within the Underground Source of Drinking Water.
People concerned about this issue are under the impression the ASR waste water injection "Rockledge test well" (shallow 300'-500') may be an "experiment" with the plan being to expand the practice throughout Florida.
Most Floridians have no clue as to what is going on. The citizens of Rockledge living within the 1-mile radius of the project were not notified in writing nor were they asked their opinion of putting partially treated sewage into their underground source of drinking water until recently. They are the residents who owned the private wells that were shut down.
A few residents having knowledge of this well project taking place have asked a number of questions directed at city officials, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the St Johns River Water Management District. Some of the questions have been answered. Most of the answers have come across as being very hard to understand referencing highly technical rules, regulations, and technology that a layman cannot begin to understand. With a lack of information, unanswered questions, and confusing answers to the questions they have chosen to answer, residents of Rockledge and the surrounding area cannot form a full understanding or opinion in regards to this well and it's purpose.
This project is not being widely publicized as it should. In fact, it appears Rockledge officials are attempting to keep it quiet. In July, members of Save Our Aquifer requested of the City permission to place signs on private property, with owners consent, and where they could be seen by people traveling over US 1. They were denied saying that such signs would be illegal, calling them "snipe" signs.
On November 24, 2008, the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida served notice on the City of Rockledge that they intend to sue the City if Save Our Aquifer is not allowed to place signs informing the public about the City's proposed ASR well on private property along US 1 and other roads where property owners allow the signs.
December 5, 2008 the City of Rockledge granted Save Our Aquifer permission to post 'NO ASR WELL' signs on private property. SOA has posted a $100 bond with the City of Rockledge and will be collecting permission forms from private property owners in Rockledge in order to post signs and raise awareness among the community about the issue.
Citizens of Rockledge living within the 1-mile radius and residents of Brevard County have not been personally notified or asked their opinion of putting partially treated sewage into our underground source of drinking water until recently. The reason the City is asking for our well usage and well depths is because the Florida Department of Environmental Protection construction permit requires the following: The permittee shall provide an updated well inventory and physically verify all wells that are within a 1.0- mile radius of the ASR test well - Operational status, existing use, depth of final casing, and total depth of the wells shall be determined and submitted. No cycle testing will be allowed in the event there remain any in-use potable wells in the well inventory.
Defending The Floridan Aquifer Is Not Only Our Right, It Is Our Responsibility!
Everyone who lives within the state of Florida has a right to know about the Rockledge project because it will effect us all in the future. The ASR waste water injection "Rockledge test well" (shallow 300'-500') considered an "experiment" with the plan being to expand throughout Florida will effect all Floridians.
If Rockledge, with the help of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the EPA, and other government agency's receive the permits to continue with this project, and you know they will, every city in the state will follow their lead.
No One Enjoys The Stench Of Dead Fish!
The Rockledge Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project will be costly in the long run....
Tourism is a huge industry in our state. Tourists flock to our state to enjoy our beaches, sunbathing, fishing, diving, and swimming. In just a few short years Cocoa Beach and the Indian Lagoon will be showing the effects of pollution due to ASR. Once this occurs, the tourists will come no more... Neither will the money they spend at local motels, hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, bait shops, sports stores, etc...
Clean, Healthy Drinking Water Is A Basic Human Right!
Injection of this toxic mix, polluted, chemical laden sludge will contaminate our single major source of clean, healthy, drinking water. The damage ASR Sewage Injection can create is irreversible.
It is government's job, local, state, and federal to protect our water. To stand up and enforce our laws and regulations that protect drinking water. That's why we have the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Where does government get off thinking they can threaten our water supply, cap our wells used for drinking water, and destroy our environment? Government does not own the water! Water belongs to no one, every human being on the face of this earth has the right to clean, healthy drinking water!
This May Turn Out To Be An Environmental And Economical Disaster!
Some communities have given up on their ASR Projects and returned to using surface storage because they have found ASR to be way too expensive.
As one man said - 'ASR Is The Mother Of Weapons Of Mass Destruction'
Injection of this toxic mix, polluted, chemical laden sludge will contaminate our single major source of clean, healthy, drinking water. The damage ASR Sewage Injection can create is irreversible.
In time, no one with a well in Brevard County will will have water safe to drink.
Another question that comes to mind, How much internal structural damage to the aquifer can occur due to this injection well?
In South Florida, the home of many such wells, structural damage has occurred. Injection wells have caused cracks in the ceiling of the Florida Aquifer, causing the aquifer to fill with sand creating sinkholes. Sinkholes are known to be a direct route for pollutants to enter the aquifer.
The extreme fluctuation of the water level within a well used for this purpose can cause other problems. I said 'extreme' because during dry weather, a time of high demand, a lot of water will be drawn from the well on a daily basis. During periods of wet weather, especially when we get those frog chokers, 10 - 15 inch rains resulting from hurricanes or tropical storms, a lot of water will be pumped under pressure down the throat of the well. I wonder to what degree the water will be 'treated' or if it will be treated properly during these times?
Here is another thought. Understanding the porous wall of rock confining the aquifer is only 35 feet thick, What is to stop saltwater intrusion during periods of high demand? The answer is simple - Not Much.... Saltwater intrusion is common in wells so close to the shore of the ocean.
Other things to take into consideration: PH levels will fluctuate and water quality will suffer when the well is put under high demand. Also pressure will drop in other wells in the area.
Something that puzzles me is why the St Johns River Water Management District and the Florida Forever Program is condoning, in fact, donating to this project. I was always under the impression the St Johns River Water Management District and Florida Forever was all about protecting our resources. In fact, I thought Florida Forever was all about conserving natural lands and protecting our environment.
My thoughts are that by this well being a solution to the sewage effluent problem, Rockridge will be in a better position to justify more growth. It has always amazed me how local politicians always run their campaign on the position of stopping growth and then when in put office they vote for everything they can that will encourage more growth...
Practice Water Conservation
We should all try harder to conserve water. Especially when it comes to watering lawns and golf courses. Water efficiently, early in the morning before the sun gets high in the sky. Watering during the heat of the day is wasteful, much of the water evaporates.
Time and time again, I see water in my area being wasted due to watering systems not being properly maintained. I have seen water actually flowing down city streets simply because residents, golf courses, and many companies fail to maintain their watering systems properly. Many times the water sprinklers are aimed at the street instead of the landscape!
Planting drought tolerant grasses and plants is a great way of conserving water. Less watering would reduce the need to fertilize as often which would reduce the excessive nitrogen that pollutes our rivers and streams.
Just shutting off the faucet when brushing our teeth conserves a lot of water. Taking shorter showers is another way of conserving water.
Raising our lawnmower blades reduces evaporation saving water.
Surface Storage - A Better Solution?
There are other options to store reclaimed water and solve the problem of sewage effluent. Every community in Brevard County and surrounding counties have similar water problems. Why not get neighboring counties involved, build a large multi-use, environmentally safe reservoir farther inland, in an unincorporated area. Treat the water properly, to drinking water standards and pipe it in. When the dry season comes, draw water necessary for irrigation.
The reservoir and surrounding land could be used for recreational purposes. Boating, fishing, water-skiing, picnicking, camping, etc. Golfing is popular here in Florida, build an adjacent golf course and country club on the property. Include a swimming pool, a restaurant, and tennis courts. Fees charged to use the facilities and profits from the restaurant and camping area would pay the cost of the project.
Build a new modern water treatment facility on the property, one capable of fully treating the water, to handle the incoming sewage effluent using solar power. Solar power would provide electricity to power the entire project. Using solar power would also reduce federal taxes, if any, associated with the facility.
Most of this project could possibly be paid for by federal dollars. A 'Green' project such as this would likely qualify for low interest government loans, even grants, I would think, especially since our new, incoming president is committed to the environment, the green initiative, and intends to increase jobs by upgrading and building new infrastructure.
If we can afford to throw billions of our tax dollars, 350 billion to date I believe, to wasteful companies, banks and mortgage companies that obviously don't know how to handle money, I think the politicians can afford to send a little money our way!
I'm no financial wizard and I know this sounds expensive, but so is the Rockledge ASR Project, something to the tune of $2,000,000. Not to mention the extreme cost of the continual testing required to operate the well, upwards of $100,000 per year. If Rockledge is permitted to operate the well, others will be built in the near future. If one of these wells fail, polluting the aquifer, the cost of clean up would be out of sight.
Now is the time, land is cheaper now than it has been in years. Jobs are needed. A project like this would not only provide water in times of need, if managed correctly, it could actually go into profit and those profits could be shared by all the counties involved. Profits could help pay for county services, reduce local real estate taxes, and build new schools.
Doing this would help to solve the waste water problem, create jobs, increase tourism, improve the local economy, help keep our kids off the street, increase property values, be a great improvement to the entire area, and provide something everyone could enjoy, residents and visitors alike. It would be an environmentally friendly solution, much safer than aquifer injection, and would be something we could all be proud of.
I have a personal stake in regards to this issue. My drinking water comes from a well we had drilled into the Floridan Aquifer back in 1994. The well is drilled directly into a vein within the Florida Aquifer, 365 feet deep. We fully treat the water prior to drinking.
Look, I'm no scientist, just a concerned citizen, resident of Florida and somewhat of an environmentalist. I have wrote a number of articles concerning issues such as this. I believe in leaving the smallest footprint possible on the environment. If we all practice good stewardship we can leave our children, grandchildren, and future generations a better place to live.
What Can We Do? -
Demand All ASR Injected Water Be Fully Treated To Drinking Water Quality, Tested And Monitored On A Regular Basis As It Should Be!
Be Part Of The Solution! Let Your Voice Be Heard!
Join Save Our Aquifer
Read more articles like this one. Scroll down my Home Page - Learn more about our drinking water, drinking water contamination, health effects of contaminants found in drinking water - Read the Water News @ www.supremedrinkingwatersolutions.com
Find out about the environmental effects of an existing ASR well here in Florida: http://surfermag.com/features/oneworld/injectionwells/
Contact The Following Environmental Groups - Join and DonateNatural Resources Defense Council - Water Keeper Alliance - Sierra Club
Remember This On Election Day!
Write an editorial to your local newspaper and send a copy to:
Office of Governor Charlie Crist State of Florida - The Capitol 400 S. Monroe St. Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
City Manager, Jim McKnight, City of Rockledge 1600 Huntington Lane, Rockledge, Fla. 32955.
Mayor Larry L. Schultz 1820 Laurel Oak Dr. S Rockledge, FL 32955 Florida Department of Environmental Protection 3900 Commowealth Boulevard, MS # 35 Tallahassee, Fla. 32399-3000
Patti Wilson - Supreme Drinking Water Solutions St. Augustine Florida
About the Author:
Patti Wilson
Drinking Water Consultant
Supreme Drinking Water Solutions
St Augustine Fl