Projects to Test Water in Lower Aquifer

It is projected that some municipalities will need more water than they are permitted to withdraw from the Upper Floridan Aquifer by 2021. It is estimated that by 2035, Central Florida will be pumping the maximum amount of water from the Upper Floridan Aquifer permitted, leaving officials to find a new source of water.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) plans to drill three exploratory wells into the Lower Floridan Aquifer to test the water quality and quantity in hopes it may provide an alternative water supply source.  Currently, SWFWMD is looking into possible drill sites in Winter Haven, Haines City, and Fostproof, Florida.  Although the problem may seem to be in the distant future, George Schlutermann, a Senior Hydrogeologist for SWFWMD, comments that, in reality, these programs are costly and take a long time. For more information on this story, please visit our source site at: http://www.newschief.com/article/20131014/NEWSCHIEF/131019584/1523/newschief00?Title=Projects-to-Test-Water-in-Lower-Aquifer