Can We Trust The Florida Aquifer?
The Florida Aquifer has always been our most valuable natural resource. One of the most productive aquifers in the world, the Florida Aquifer produces over 8 billion gallons of water each day providing water for drinking, residential, industrial and agricultural use. It is also one of the largest aquifers, underlying much of the southeastern U.S. – approximately 100,000 square miles of south-eastern Georgia, southern Alabama, southern South Carolina, and all of the state of Florida.
Today, the Florida Aquifer is suffering. Contamination is making its way into our water supply. Numerous contaminants have been found in various locations throughout the state of Florida. Everything from agricultural chemicals, gasoline, MTBE, pesticides, herbicides and many more contaminants have been found. Leaking gasoline tanks, industrial wastes, septic tanks, agricultural runoff, and street sewers are just a few sources of contamination.
Imagine the huge amount of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides used on golf courses, farms, and lawns in Florida. Now imagine what takes place when it rains.
These chemicals, and others from different sources are washed into the soil making
their way into the groundwater, then through the permeable rock into the water of the
aquifer itself.
Many of these chemicals are known to have negative effects on human health. Cancer,
birth defects and many other ailments have been proven to be caused by contaminants found in drinking water today.
Our cities and towns here in Florida do all they can to provide tap water safe to drink.
Demand has increased drastically within the past few decades as populations are growing
rapidly. Many of our older water plants are not able to handle the huge demand.
Proper filtration at point of use is the only safe solution as many bottled waters are nothing but tap water.
Public awareness is growing in regards to this issue, but many Florida residents still
believe the aquifer is pure. This is a major concern because even if the contamination is found to be at a low level, long term use can be detrimental to ones health. Infants, young children, older people and people with compromised immune systems can suffer illness and possible death due to ingesting contaminated water.
Author-Florida Resident Since 1993
For more information regarding drinking
water contamination see the “Water Today”
page at www.supremedrinkingwatersolutions.com
