AWWA SOURCES66393

The Biscayne Aquifer has provided a safe, consistent water supply for many years but appears to have reached its sustainable yield. Lake Okeechobee is an 80 year old reservoir. High nutrient levels from agricultural inputs have over-eutrophied it over time. Since water quality is critical in the Everglades, polluted water is diverted to tide (which may have negative coastal impacts) which reduces water quantities for the Everglades. The result is that the Everglades receives less water than it needs, the Biscayne Aquifer does not receive proper recharge, and urban users have less water available to them. Reduced levels of water in Lake Okeechobee prevents maintenance of coastal canal levels, which drains the Biscayne Aquifer further, aggravating the water supply problem for south Florida residents. Hence, the periodic droughts are actually a not a true water supply issue, but a management problem. With growth in customer demands, flood control priorities, and realization of ecosystem needs and water quality, management of the supply has become more difficult. CERP identified many projects that are supposed to improve management, timing and availability of water supplies. Unfortunately, delays to some of the CERP projects have resulted in the SFWMD having to cap Biscayne Aquifer withdrawals for southeast coastal utilities. To address this issue, the SFWMD has identified four options that they want utilities to pursue. While each option has advantages and disadvantages, each also has costs and risks to the utility and its customers. A fifth, more regional option might accomplish more. Such an option is found in the alternatives of the original Everglades restoration planning documents - regional recharge facilities. While the cost would be expensive - $5- 10 billion, the benefits may be far more significant than any option offered to date because with proper permitting, this option would deliver 500 MGD of extremely high quality water to the Everglades, and would recharge the Biscayne Aquifer at the same time. The benefit would allow local officials to pursue their current water resource and supply programs from the Biscayne Aquifer, while protecting the Biscayne Aquifer from unknown risks with reclaimed water application. Includes 10 references, tables, figures.