Update on the Floridan Aquifer System in
SFWMD
Update on the Floridan Aquifer System in
SFWMDPeter J. Kwiatkowski, P.G., Director
Resource Evaluation Division, Water Supply Dept.
Water Resources Advisory Committee MeetingWest Palm Beach, Florida
February 8, 2007
Peter J. Kwiatkowski, P.G., DirectorResource Evaluation Division, Water Supply Dept.
Water Resources Advisory Committee MeetingWest Palm Beach, Florida
February 8, 2007
West Palm Beach
Lake OkeechobeeFt. Myers Labelle
2300
2100
1900
1700
1500
1300
1100
900
700
500
300
1000
Water Table Aquifer
Lower Confining Unit
Boulder Zone
Middle Confining Unit
Upper Floridan Aquifer
Hawthorn Confining Zone
Lower Tamiami Aquifer
Biscayne
Sandstone Aquifer
Aquifer
WEST EAST
Mid Hawthorn Aquifer
Middle Floridan Aquifer
Middle Confining Unit
3000
Lower Confining Unit
Lower Confining UnitLower Floridan Producing Zone 1
GeneralizGeneralized Aquifer ed Aquifer System System Map of Map of South South FloridaFlorida
GeneralizGeneralized Aquifer ed Aquifer System System Map of Map of South South FloridaFlorida
Aquifer & Relative Yields in South Florida
Aquifer & Relative Yields in South Florida
Aquifer Yield Depth (ft bls)
Upper FloridanModerate 800 to 1,500
Boulder Zone Very High 2,800 to 3,500
Biscayne Aquifer Very High 0 to 200
Surficial Aquifer Low 0 to 100
Tamiami Aquifer Low to Moderate 100 to 400
Aquifer Yield Depth (ft bls)
Upper FloridanModerate 800 to 1,500
Boulder Zone Very High 2,800 to 3,500
Biscayne Aquifer Very High 0 to 200
Surficial Aquifer Low 0 to 100
Tamiami Aquifer Low to Moderate 100 to 400
General Characterization of the Floridan Aquifer SystemGeneral Characterization of the Floridan Aquifer System
Recharge area in Central Florida Confined in South Florida by several hundred feet
of relatively impermeable sediments (Hawthorn Group) – isolated from Biscayne aquifer
Lower portion (Boulder Zone) used to dispose of treated effluent from wastewater treatment plants and concentrate from reverse osmosis facilities
Upper portions of Floridan aquifer system used for brackish (slightly saline) water supply (e.g., Town of Jupiter) since late 1980s
Formations extend offshore at depth (saline water)
Artesian Head – 20 to 30 feet above land surface
Recharge area in Central Florida Confined in South Florida by several hundred feet
of relatively impermeable sediments (Hawthorn Group) – isolated from Biscayne aquifer
Lower portion (Boulder Zone) used to dispose of treated effluent from wastewater treatment plants and concentrate from reverse osmosis facilities
Upper portions of Floridan aquifer system used for brackish (slightly saline) water supply (e.g., Town of Jupiter) since late 1980s
Formations extend offshore at depth (saline water)
Artesian Head – 20 to 30 feet above land surface
(From USGS Circular 1278)
Geographic Differences of Floridan Aquifer System
Geographic Differences of Floridan Aquifer System
Recharge Area in Central Florida
Confined Aquifer in South Florida – less water released from storage, greater drawdowns
Recharge Area in Central Florida
Confined Aquifer in South Florida – less water released from storage, greater drawdowns(USGS Circular 1278)
Floridan Aquifer Demands (2000)Floridan Aquifer Demands (2000)
(USGS Circular 1278)
Largest Public Water
Suppliers (> 20 MGD)
Growth in Floridan Aquifer System Demands
Growth in Floridan Aquifer System Demands
Total Demand from the Floridan Aquifer System from 1950 to 2000 (USGS Circular 1278)
MG
D
Broward
Palm Beach
Miami-Dade
Monroe
FloridanAquifer
LEC Projected Demands for Water Supply and FAS
LEC Projected Demands for Water Supply and FAS
Approved Alternative Water Supply
Projects FY07
Approved Alternative Water Supply
Projects FY07
L-8 CanalL-8 Canal
Central Palm Beach CountyCentral Palm
Beach County
C-51 CanalC-51 Canal
Caloosahatchee Basin
Caloosahatchee Basin
HillsboroHillsboro
Site # ASR WellsLake Okeechobee 200Caloosahatchee 44L-8 Basin 10C-51 Basin 34Central PBC 15Hillsboro 30TOTAL 333
Proposed Aquifer Storage and Recovery
(ASR) Areas, Comprehensive
Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), (USACE,
1999)
Proposed Aquifer Storage and Recovery
(ASR) Areas, Comprehensive
Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), (USACE,
1999)
Lake Okeechobee
Lake Okeechobee
General Characterization of the Floridan Aquifer
System
General Characterization of the Floridan Aquifer
System Upper and Middle Floridan Aquifers can be used
for both Aquifer Storage and Recovery and RO source water
Brackish quality requires membrane treatment to meet drinking water standards
Relatively stable water quality seasonally, but geographically variable
Some pumping wells become saltier (upconing of more saline water from below or laterally along coast)
Upper and Middle Floridan Aquifers can be used for both Aquifer Storage and Recovery and RO source water
Brackish quality requires membrane treatment to meet drinking water standards
Relatively stable water quality seasonally, but geographically variable
Some pumping wells become saltier (upconing of more saline water from below or laterally along coast)
Comparison to Biscayne Aquifer
Comparison to Biscayne Aquifer
Similarities Variable well yields and water quality within
wellfields May require additional testing initially
Differences Biscayne aquifer – more data, greater
understanding Biscayne aquifer recharged locally through
rainfall, canals, Everglades seepage Biscayne aquifer subject to contamination Biscayne aquifer – much more likely to have
water shortage restrictions imposed Potential conflicting uses (RO vs. ASR)
Similarities Variable well yields and water quality within
wellfields May require additional testing initially
Differences Biscayne aquifer – more data, greater
understanding Biscayne aquifer recharged locally through
rainfall, canals, Everglades seepage Biscayne aquifer subject to contamination Biscayne aquifer – much more likely to have
water shortage restrictions imposed Potential conflicting uses (RO vs. ASR)
Engineering ConsiderationsEngineering Considerations Greater Drawdowns
Increased energy costs associated with lifting water via pumps
Adjacent user effects Potential for decline in water quality over time
Membrane design and periodic replacement Blending with Biscayne water
Membrane Treatment Estimated 125% of raw water to meet treated water
demands Concentrate disposal via deep injection wells
Greater Drawdowns Increased energy costs associated with lifting water via
pumps Adjacent user effects
Potential for decline in water quality over time Membrane design and periodic replacement Blending with Biscayne water
Membrane Treatment Estimated 125% of raw water to meet treated water
demands Concentrate disposal via deep injection wells
SFWMD Initiatives SFWMD Initiatives 15 years ago to Present
Installed test well pairs in data gap areas (e.g., rural portions of peninsula) for long-term water supply planning
Conducted aquifer tests to obtain aquifer parameters at these sites
Installed data loggers onto existing and newly installed wells to obtain long-term water level data
7 years ago to Present Installed test and monitor wells as part of Aquifer
Storage and Recovery (ASR) program for Everglades Restoration
15 years ago to Present Installed test well pairs in data gap areas (e.g., rural
portions of peninsula) for long-term water supply planning
Conducted aquifer tests to obtain aquifer parameters at these sites
Installed data loggers onto existing and newly installed wells to obtain long-term water level data
7 years ago to Present Installed test and monitor wells as part of Aquifer
Storage and Recovery (ASR) program for Everglades Restoration
SFWMD Floridan Well NetworkSFWMD Floridan Well Network
SFWMD Initiatives (cont’d)SFWMD Initiatives (cont’d)
2 years ago to Present Obtain data from wells installed by utilities under
Alternative Water Supply Program Standardize data input for database purposes Recruit groundwater data steward to provide
quality assurance/quality control function for existing and future data
2 years ago to Present Obtain data from wells installed by utilities under
Alternative Water Supply Program Standardize data input for database purposes Recruit groundwater data steward to provide
quality assurance/quality control function for existing and future data
Models Developed Models Developed
Lower West Coast Floridan East Central Florida Transient (ECFT)
Model finalizing peer review process now
East Coast Floridan Contract to be awarded to incorporate
Upper East Coast (UEC) area into existing Lower East Coast (LEC) Floridan Model
Contract calls for recalibration with newly acquired data
Lower West Coast Floridan East Central Florida Transient (ECFT)
Model finalizing peer review process now
East Coast Floridan Contract to be awarded to incorporate
Upper East Coast (UEC) area into existing Lower East Coast (LEC) Floridan Model
Contract calls for recalibration with newly acquired data
Modeling Issues Modeling Issues Brackish quality of Floridan aquifer and
saltwater boundary along the coast requires density-dependent modeling approach More data intensive Less data available Greater uncertainty
Brackish quality of Floridan aquifer and saltwater boundary along the coast requires density-dependent modeling approach More data intensive Less data available Greater uncertainty
Conclusions Conclusions Floridan aquifer system should be able to meet
projected demands identified in LEC Plan
Greater Uncertainty
Initial water quality
Changes in water quality over time
Drawdown effects
Costs will be higher than traditional sources
Better understanding of regulatory framework for reclaimed water, ASR, and changes to C&SF project will likely result in reduced, projected Floridan demands
Floridan aquifer system should be able to meet projected demands identified in LEC Plan
Greater Uncertainty
Initial water quality
Changes in water quality over time
Drawdown effects
Costs will be higher than traditional sources
Better understanding of regulatory framework for reclaimed water, ASR, and changes to C&SF project will likely result in reduced, projected Floridan demands