Florida Aquifer

Save Our Aquifers

Aquifers are one of our most precious resources providing millions of people across the U.S. with water for drinking, household uses, agriculture and industry. Today, because of pollution, our aquifers are in trouble. Chemical spills, golf courses, agricultural runoff and industrial wastes are major contributors to this problem resulting in chemical laden water entering the aquifer system.

There are a number of things we can do at home to reduce water contamination. Reducing our use of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. Being careful so as not to spill gasoline, oil, antifreeze, chemicals, etc. Another thing we can all do is CALL OUR CONGRESSMAN. Demand more restrictions on golf courses, agriculture, and industry. Demand higher fines on violators.

Many people believe the water contained in aquifers is tens of thousands of years old. This is simply not true. Aquifers continually receive water. When it rains, surface water, which may be carrying pollutants is absorbed by the earth and makes its way to the groundwater. Below the groundwater is porous rock which allows the groundwater to make its way to the aquifer. The end result is, any pollutants picked up by the rain water, finally finds its way into the aquifer. That is how surface pollutants enter our aquifers before we drink the water.

Our aquifers in many areas are suffering from a shortage of incoming water due to drought. Here in Florida and Georgia, we have been living with a drought the past few years. Our aquifer, the Florida Aquifer technically named the Floridan Aquifer here in the southeast is fed by rains occurring in eastern Alabama, southern South Carolina, all of Georgia, and north Florida. When less water is coming in, resulting in lower groundwater levels, aquifers receive less incoming water. When no rains occur, contaminants build up on the surface of the earth. Then, when it does rain, the rainwater carries a higher level of contaminants. This is a very important issue. 

Our very existence depends on healthy water. Drinking water contamination is known to cause cancer, kidney, heart and liver damage, nervous system disorders, birth defects and reproductive disorders, just to name a few.

Recent surveys conclude 64 percent of Americans are concerned about their drinking water. Many are looking for alternatives to drinking tap water. Bottled water is not a very good alternative because of the lack of regulations. Bottled water is governed by the FDA – the Food And Drug Association, not the EPA. Bottled water standards are very lax especially if the water is bottled and sold within the same state. Many doctors recommend point of use water filtration systems to combat drinking water contamination.

High quality water filters can reduce contaminants to acceptable levels providing safer, healthier water. Something must be done before this problem gets too big to fix. Please contact your local government representatives and call your congressman. Demand something be done to save our aquifers from future abuse.