Full Description

The Biscayne Aquifer is a G-2, sole source aquifer, located in Broward and DadeCounties in southeastern Florida. It is the only freshwater source in the areathat is capable of providing sufficient quantities of water to meet the needs ofa human population. As a result, most utilities located in southeast Florida relyon the Biscayne Aquifer System for their raw water supplies. Fortunately, it isone of the most prolific surficial aquifer systems in the world. The quality ofthe water along the coast is relatively good, although it diminishes inland andat the saltwater interface near the coast (due to higher total organic carbon andhigher chlorides, respectively). Recharge occurs primarily via rainfall, withsome lateral movement from the Everglades and canal systems from Lake Okeechobee100 miles north. Extensive canal systems are used with the intent on providingboth drainage and stability in water levels. However, the 'stabilized' waterlevels are up to four feet lower than historical levels, and many flow directlyto saltwater bodies which now allows saltwater to migrate inland, displacing orreplacing the native fresh water. As a result, areas of the aquifer are no longerusable as a drinking water source. The City of Hollywood, Florida, has attemptedto address this problem by investigating the use of a hydrodynamic barrier toretard or reverse the saltwater intrusion, using reclaimed water as theinjectate. However, an issue of concern is the risk of recovery of pathogens ingroundwater from the aquifer. This paper discusses the risks posed by pathogensand work completed to date to define the geologic parameters for injection wells.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 01/01/2000 Number of Pages: 6File Size: 1 file , 130 KB