Did you know Florida has over 2.5 million acres of freshwater lakes, rivers, springs, and wetlands? There is also the Floridan aquifer, the natural subsurface freshwater reservoir that lies beneath the ground. Scientific study has determined the Floridian aquifer is approximately 82,000-square-miles and holds billions of gallons of freshwater. This unique aquifer stretches into other nearby northern states such as Georgia and Alabama.
The U.S. Geological Survey, the nation’s largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency states the following: “groundwater refers to all subsurface water, specifically that part of groundwater which is in the saturated zone. Groundwater sources are called aquifers: geologic formations that contain sufficient saturated permeable material to yield significant quantities of water to wells and springs.”
Aquifers supply our Florida springs and more than 100 gallons of water per Florida resident every single day. Florida is considered one of the rainiest states in the U.S. and averages over 50 plus inches of rainfall per year. With Florida’s wide variety of soil types, it allows more than 13 inches of this rainfall to reach the ground and efficiently soak into the earth. The remainder of rainfall eventually returns to the atmosphere through evaporation or transpiration.
Today, Florida’s drinking water supply is in serious danger of being depleted. Development and urbanization continue to increase every year which puts a huge strain on our water demand. Simply put, Florida’s drinking water supply will be scarce in the coming future. Water conservation efforts and especially reducing water pollution can help make a positive impact on our future water supply needs.
KCI works closely with construction projects to help prevent erosion and sediment from polluting our fresh waterways. Every new development should define a good stormwater management team and integrate a stormwater management process at the beginning of a project. We have found this is a cost-effective approach to reduce and prevent potential pollution and contaminants leaving the construction site.
KCI can help construction projects with stormwater management efforts and incorporate the right Best Management Practice (BMP) structural needs into the site design. Call us today, at 888-346-7779.
