Contamination

    Perhaps the largest concern we have in Florida with our water resources is making sure that they do not become contaminated.  We have vast amounts of water, but it will all do us no good if it is contaminated.  Our aquifers are particularly vulnerable because we have such a high water level as compared with other states far above sea levels.  In some area's our surficial aquifers are less than ten feet below the ground.  Also our soil here in Florida is very sandy, thus it is also very porous, allowing for chemicals and other waste to penetrate and seep into our water supplies very easily.  There are two primary forms of contamination that we need to be concerned with, saltwater contamination, and chemical Pollution. 

    Most of the chemical pollution occurred more than twenty years ago before Florida passed a battery of laws to protect our water resources.  Much of it came from leaking underground storage tanks.  Fortunately laws now require that they be double walled and regularly monitored for leakage, this has greatly reduced pollution levels.  Also application of various harmful agricultural chemicals has degraded water quality primarily in the surficial aquifers. 

    The state has spent millions of dollars to clean up the pollution of the past.  Thus far they have done an excellent job in restoring water quality.  Now potential polluters are regulated and carefully monitored.  The state of Florida has quite clearly adopted a much more responsible policy towards water quality. 

    The other type of contamination we must be fearful of is saltwater intrusion.  This does not occur due to what we humans put into the water, but how much we take out.  Because the Floridan aquifer is so near to major bodies of salt water when we over pump too much out of the aquifer thus reducing its pressure salt water can seep into the aquifer.  This is a grave danger because when this occurs the water becomes worthless for human consumption.  This major fear is already being realized throughout South Florida primarily in the Biscayne aquifer, and it has begun in the upper reaches of the Floridan aquifer in South Carolina.  Should this trend continue our water resources and consequently the ability of our state to sustain human life will be in grave danger. 

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