Explanation of Indicator
The state of Florida depends on its ground water resources for drinking water, agriculture, industry, and in some cases as a water source for surface water habitats. Unfortunately, nearly all human activities may adversely affect Florida’s ground water q
uality and quantity. Florida is expected to grow at a rate of three percent annually, with most of the growth concentrated in coastal areas. In these growing coastal areas, water resources are already being threatened by over-consumption, contamination,
and saltwater intrusion.
Overconsumption of ground water resources in coastal areas may result in saltwater intrusion and may cause a drop in surface water levels. Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) facilities are typically used to store water during surplus supply times for use during the seasonal periods of increased demand. Without these facilities, water use may exceed ground water recharge, resulting in resource depletion. The utilization of ASR facilities to help meet consumptive demands can reduce the pressure on natura l ground water resources, and may serve to slow or stop the rate of saltwater intrusion in coastal counties.
Increasing use of ASR facilities is a direct indicator of the exceedance of the carrying capacity of local water resources and increased management of the resource. An annual analysis of this indicator could indirectly demonstrate a reduction in use of n atural ground water resources and a possible reduction of the likelihood of saltwater intrusion.
Data Characteristics
SOURCE
The Underground Injection Control (UIC) Ground Water Technical Support section of the Bureau of Drinking Water and Ground Water Resources is the lead office where information on this indicator can be found. The program administrator is Jim McNeal, who is
located at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400, or at (904) 488-3601.
ACQUISITION
The data are available in hard copy format at no cost.
COLLECTION
The data are updated throughout the year as needed.
Data Limitations
There are no inherent limitations to the data as they are taken directly from existing permits. A limitation of this indicator is that the water quality of the ASR supply must meet current standards for the ASR project to be permitted. In order to be per
mitted as a Class V injection well, the applicant must demonstrate that injection will not cause a violation of a primary or secondary drinking water standard or minimum criterion at the point of discharge. This can limit the use of certain waters (parti
cularly untreated surface waters) as a source. If the applicant cannot demonstrate that the injected fluid will meet the applicable water quality standards, they must obtain an aquifer exemption which can be a lengthy and uncertain process.
Data Analysis
Increases in numbers of ASR facilities indicate increases in the demands on water resources, as well as increased management of the resource. In addition, ASR facilities may have more than one injection well.
In 1982 the first ASR facility in a coastal county was permitted. Additional facilities were permitted in 1987, 1990, 1991 and 1994. The permitting process can be lengthy, which may explain the time lapses between facility permitting dates. Overall the re has been a net increase in the number of ASR facilities in coastal counties, from one facility in 1982 to a total of seven facilities in 1994.
Recommendations
It is recommended that, in addition to collecting data on the number of permitted aquifer storage and recovery facilities, the Bureau of Drinking Water and Ground Water Resources should collect the total volume (in gallons) available at each of the seven
facilities.