Explanation of Indicator
Florida’s coastal counties depend on their water resources for drinking water, agriculture, industry, and to support the many diverse natural systems found there. Unfortunately, nearly all human activities may adversely affect ground water quality and qua ntity in some way.
Thermoelectric power generation requires water. This includes water used for cooling purposes, plant domestic needs, wash down or cleaning needs, and boiler makeup. The reported cooling water amounts include water withdrawn for once-through cooling and water withdrawn to augment cooling ponds. Any water used at these facilities other than surface water is supplied by a pubic-supply water system.
Data Characteristics
SOURCE
The Water Resources Division of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) is the lead office for this information. The USGS publishes a report, Water Withdrawals, Use, and Trends in Florida, every five years which contains these data. The report is pre
pared in cooperation with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the water management districts. The publication is prepared by Richard L. Marella, who can be contacted at the USGS, 227 North Bronough Street, Suite 3015, Tallahassee
, Florida 32301, or at (904) 942-9500, extension 3004.
ACQUISITION
This information can be obtained in a hard copy format from the Water Resources Division of the USGS. There are no costs associated with obtaining this information.
COLLECTION
The information is collected statewide throughout the year by both DEP and the water management districts, and it is compiled by the USGS for the above-referenced publication about every five years.
Data Limitations
When data on quantities are only displayed for every fifth year, anomalies may exist for a particular year, which could lead to an incorrect interpretation. If a given year has above or below normal precipitation (extremely wet or dry) or has an event li
ke a hurricane, the water use value will most likely be skewed for that year. In addition, the majority of the data used to calculate these figures is based on actual meter readings, and some data are estimates made by facilities.
Data Analysis
In 1990, thermoelectric power generators withdrew 731 million gallons per day (mgd) throughout the state. Approximately 426 million gallons per day of that were withdrawn by coastal counties. This figure includes surface and ground waters used for non-c
ontract cooling power generators. Between 1965 and 1985 thermoelectric power generator water withdrawals declined by 37%. This trend may be linked to increased efficiency and to reuse of cooling waters. By reducing the amount of water withdrawn for the
rmoelectric power generation processes, the adverse environmental impacts of the facilities decrease as well.
Fresh ground water withdrawals increased from less than 6 mgd in 1965 to more than 13 mgd in 1990. However, fresh ground water withdrawals accounted for only 3.2 percent of the fresh water use in 1990. Fresh surface water withdrawals decreased significa ntly between 1975 and 1990. This is due to the fact that in the early 1970s and 1980s many power plants converted from withdrawing once-through cooling water directly from a fresh water source to recirculating the cooling water through a pond or impoundm ent. The amount of water needed to operate these facilities did not change; however, the water withdrawn decreased significantly, as only water needed to augment or supplement the pond or impoundment was withdrawn from the original source.
Year Ground Water (MGD) Surface Water (MGD) Total Withdrawal (MGD) 1965 5.75 610.00 615.75 1970 2.59 611.00 613.59 1975 11.57 604.40 615.97 1980 12.80 533.60 546.40 1985 8.33 379.66 387.99 1990 13.84 412.11 425.95