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Biscayne aquifer, southeast Florida

Water-Resources Investigations Report 78-107
Prepared in cooperation with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri78107

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Abstract

Peak daily pumpage from the highly permeable, unconfined Biscayne aquifer for public water-supply systems in southeast Florida in 1975 was about 500 million gallons. Another 165 million gallons was withdrawn daily for irrigation. Recharge to the aquifer is primarily by local rainfall. Discharge is by evapotranspiration, canal drainage, coastal seepage, and pumping. Pollutants can enter the aquifer by direct infiltration from land surface or controlled canals, septic-tank and other drainfields, drainage wells, and solid-waste dumps. Most of the pollutants are concentrated in the upper 20 to 30 feet of the aquifer; public supply wells generally range in depth from about 75 to 150 feet. Dilution, dispersion, and adsorption tend to reduce the concentrations. Seasonal heavy rainfall and canal discharge accelerate ground-water circulation, thereby tending to dilute and flush upper zones of the aquifer. The ultimate fate of pollutants in the aquifer is the ocean, although some may be adsorbed by the aquifer materials en route to the ocean, and some are diverted to pumping wells. (Woodard-USGS)

Suggested Citation

Biscayne aquifer, southeast Florida; 1978; WRI; 78-107; Klein, Howard; Hull, John E.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Biscayne aquifer, southeast Florida
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 78-107
DOI 10.3133/wri78107
Year Published 1978
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center
Description v, 52 p.
Country United States
State Florida
Other Geospatial Biscayne aquifer
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Additional publication details