What Will You Drink?
Aquifers (large, natural groundwater storage areas found underneath the earth’s surface) are the major source of fresh drinking water in Central Florida, providing water to 90 percent of the 17 million people in the region. Not only does groundwater quench our thirst, but it is also important in protecting water quality and quantity in surface rivers and streams – during drier times, these waters are derived almost completely from groundwater supplies.
Viewer Tip: Contamination of groundwater supplies can cause serious health problems and decrease the amount of available, useable drinking water. A major source of water quality problems is improperly functioning or failing septic systems. If you have a septic system or other private system for wastewater disposal, an easy way to prevent groundwater pollution in your area is to divert rain water runoff from downspouts and other areas away from your septic drainfield. This will prevent the runoff water from transporting pollutants from the septic drainfield into groundwater supplies as it soaks into the ground.
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
(Sources: U.S. Climate Science Program “Coastal Management: application of climate science” http://www.climatescience.gov/workshop2005/abstracts/co-1.htm; USGS “Hydrology of Central Florida- A Primer.” http://fl.water.usgs.gov/PDF_files/c1137_schiffer.pdf; The National Onsite Water Recycling Association, www.nowra.org)
