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— General Water Information FAQs —

This page is a compilation of answers to the FAQs related to General Water Information.

Water-quality impacts are apparent faster on aquatic life than land-life. Increased levels of organic matter in water depletes the amount of available oxygen to aquatic life. Turbidity is an indicator of increased amounts of total suspended solids in the water, which can cause fish kills and limit the growth of algae important for balanced ecosystem of a water body.

What are major pollutants in a waterbody?

Major pollutants that enter a waterbody are of both organic and inorganic nature. Agricultural activities are responsible, to a large extent, for these pollution. Sediments from soil-erosion, fertilizers, pesticides, petroleum, household waste-water, and industrial water all contribute to the pollution of waterbodies in Florida.

What is eutrophication?

Eutrophication is a condition stimulated by high nutrient condition that result in growth of phytoplankton. Although eutrophication is a normal process of lakes and estuaries, human activities accelerate the process at a much higher rate. Eutrophication is detrimental to the ecosystem of a water body as it blocks sunshine which results in the destruction of underwater flora. It also increases the oxygen take-up for the decomposition of algae, thus decreasing the amount of available oxygen vital for aquatic life.

How can we help slow down premature eutrophication of the waterbodies?

The rate of eutrophication can be brought down considerably by making some wise choices:

Application of fertilizer in minimum quantities and appropriate time.
Control runoff and soil-erosion.
Recycle your waste
Conserve water as much as you can.
Maintain your septic system.
Get involved in Citizen monitoring and volunteer programs.

What is blue-green algae?

Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria. They are the reason that sometimes water seems green in color. In small number, they make part of balanced natural water ecosystem. But in large numbers they can cause serious water-quality problems, such as, bad odor and thick scum. When present in extremely high quantities they can produce toxins fatal to human and animal life.

What are the impacts of global warming on aquatic life?

Various investigations have proved that global warming is increasing as a result of human activity. If the earth continues to warm, over the next 100 years the temperature of the streams, rivers, lakes and even oceans will not remain congenial to aquatic life. Many species, like trout and salmon need cool waters, global warming can wipe out these species in the coming decades. Coral reefs are also under the threat from global warming. Rising water temperatures can disintegrate their complex compositions and also cause bleaching effect on the reefs.

Forests and Water

Why are forests important?

Many experts claim that more than 90 percent of the living species find homes in forests. That can be the single most important reason why forests are important in maintaining a biologically diverse and balanced eco-system. A healthy forests ecosystem is self-sufficient. They are also very hard to regenerate when destroyed because of their complex nature.

What is the basic relationship between forests and water resources?

Forests influence the hydrologic cycle of surrounding area to a large extent. Thus, they also influence the quality and quantity of water resources of the catchment-areas. Soil and climate are important variables in a forest ecosystem as they control the precipitation amount, soil-water relationships and evaporative capacity of the air.

Does forest ecosystem affect precipitation?

Although it is hard to determine the amount of rainfall due to complex relationships between forested and non-forested land and ocean and non-oceanic surfaces. However, according to many researchers, it is estimated that in general forested areas receive more rainfall than agricultural zones.

How do forests affect water quality?

In a recent study done by the World Bank in collaboration with WWF, it was discovered that many big cities get their water-supplies from forest-catchment areas, as they capture and store water. Thus, maintaining a healthy forest ecosystem has become a necessity. Preserving our forests means reduction in land-slides, which translates to prevention of soil and sediment erosion. Forests also protect water-quality as they filter out pollutants, naturally, which is cost-effective.

What is Silviculture?

Silviculture is an integrated practice that involves silvics and silviculture. Silvics is a science which studies the growth and development of a single tree and its relation to the forest-biological-unit. Silviculture deals with development of techniques and technologies of cultivation of forests in various conditions- natural and economic. It also includes regular establishment, tending and regeneration of forests to maintain and improve its protective and recreational functions.

What are the benefits of Silvicultural practices?

Silvicultural practices maintain a balance between man and nature and help sustain forest resource, economically. It involves wise removal of trees from a forest system and planting new trees to keep the forest's environment healthy. A healthy forest environment supports wildlife and is important for a balanced coexistence. It improves water quality and may even slow down global warming trends.

What are mangroves?

Mangroves also referred as 'walking trees' are the true natives of Florida. Unlike other trees mangrove population grown in water, particularly salty water. They have unique ability to obtain fresh water from salty waters. Some species can secrete excess salt from their leaves, whereas others just block salt-absorptions at the root level.

How do mangroves help the ecosystem?

Mangroves in Florida spread approximately over 500,000 acres of land and contribute largely to the overall health of the state's coastal zone in the south. They trap organic materials, chemical elements and other important nutrients in their roots and bring the into cycle. They also provide nurseries for various species of fish, crustaceans, and shellfish. They also are a big part of the aquatic food-chain as they provide food to species like snook, snapper, tarpon, red-drum and shrimp. Even some birds take refuge for nesting in these mangroves.

How have humans impacted the mangroves?

Human populations have impacted the mangrove habitat immensely. Some mangroves have also been deliberately destroyed as a result of increasing human population in the state. It has been recorded that Punta Gorda waterfront development is responsible for more than half of the total mangrove losses in the state. There has been changes in the overall habitat of the mangrove forests. Immense losses have also occurred as a result of fishery activities. The biggest impact on mangroves occurred as a result of mosquito control operations. To control the mosquito populations dikes were built, which cut-off mangroves from the lagoon waters. In mosquito breeding seasons the mangrove areas were flooded to kill mosquito larvae, but their seclusion from lagoon water has limited their role in the maintenance of healthy ecosystem.

What is being done to protect the mangroves?

The importance of mangroves has been greatly realized in the past few years. Mangrove Preservation Act is a result of that realization. Regulation of fishing activities can help in the preservation and protection of the mangroves. It is unfortunate that a negligible percentage of the total mangroves in the world are protected. Public awareness is the key to effective preservation of our mangroves.

Groundwater

What is an aquifer?

Aquifers are geological formations underground that is made of permeable strata that holds water. They supply water to wells and springs.

What does groundwater to?

Groundwater occurs when an impermeable subsurface barrier allows water flowing through the unsaturated zone to be collected and stored within the interconnected pore spaces in the subsurface soil layers.

Where does most of Florida's freshwater comes from?

All of Florida's freshwater is supplied from the groundwater aquifers. The drinking water supply is also totally dependent on these aquifers. These aquifers discharge around 8 billion gallons of water everyday.

How many types of aquifers does Florida have?

There are two types of aquifers in Florida, Surficial and Floridan. Surficial aquifers are made up of shallow bed of sand and shells. They lie above the Floridan aquifers and are separated by a confining bed of soil. These aquifers are recharged from the water flow from the surrounding areas, thus, can be contaminated easily. Their recharge depends largely on the climatic fluctuations.

Floridan aquifers are a part of principal artesian aquifer, which is the largest, deepest and oldest of all the aquifers in the nation. Groundwater in the Floridan aquifer is held under pressure by a confining bed of impermeable sediments. Increase in water pressure results in flowing of water to the surface and springs. Biscayne aquifer, Sand and Gravel aquifer, and Chokoloskee Aquifers are all part of the Floridan aquifer.

What are wells?

To extract water from the aquifers we need to penetrate the water-table. Wells that extract water from the confined aquifers should break through the confining bed of soil. Penetration to the confining layer causes hydrostatic pressure to push water above the confined layer and fills the well.

What are sinkholes?

When water moves through the limestone, erosion in the process can cause formation of large cavities in the bedrock. With further erosion this cavity can collapse causing an indent into the surface. This indent is referred as a sinkhole. Sinkholes can become primary source of recharge of water for the groundwater replenishment.

Why are sinkholes important?

Sinkholes become a main source of groundwater replenishment. Thus flow of contaminants through the sinkholes will contaminate the groundwater, which is the major source of freshwater in Florida.

Hydrology

What is hydrology?

Hydrology is a scientific study of the waters occurring on the Earth. Particularly the relationship between precipitation and evaporation upon the occurrence and character of ground water is 'HYDROLOGY'.

What is hydrological cycle?

Hydrologic cycle is the cycle of occurrence of water, beginning as atmospheric water vapor, falling to the earth's surface as rainfall and snow, moving into aquifers or surface water, and then returning to the atmosphere through Evapotranspiration.

How does surface-water travel?

Water travels on surface through runoff. It is the flow of unabsorbed water on the soil surface, which comes from rainfall and snow-melts. Water through runoff flows across the land and eventually runs to streams, lakes, oceans, and rivers. Rate of runoff is affected by the duration of rainfall and its intensity, the slope of the ground, soil type, and ground cover.
How does subsurface water move?

Entrance of surface water in the soil is called infiltration. Water flows into the soil medium vertically and horizontally. The force of gravity governs the flow of vertical movement of soil. The horizontal movement of water within soil medium happens as a result of its flow from high energy point to low energy point. Hydraulic conductivity of the soil determines the soils ability of conduct water through its medium. It is also called the soil permeability.

What is hydraulic gradient?

Mathematically, the difference in in hydraulic head/pressure per unit distance in a given direction is termed as hydraulic gradient. In more explanatory terms it is the driving force of fluid flow in a porous medium.

Irrigation Practices

What are some of the recommended ways of irrigation in Florida?

Drip irrigation, also known as low-volume or micro-irrigation allows a way to efficiently irrigate lawns and gardens.

Sprinklers are widely used in Florida for irrigation of agricultural lands as well as for gardens and lawns. These systems are designed and laid out in an area to provide uniform coverage. Water in sprinklers is provided through pressurized pipelines.

Crown flood irrigation is mainly used in irrigating citrus. Citrus trees are planted on raised platform of soil, called berms, which are 2 - 4 feet high. The furrows run along the length of these berms. These furrows are flooded during the time of irrigation. Water penetrates horizontally and vertically through the berms to the root zones of the citrus trees.

Seepage irrigation, also known as subirrigation is used to irrigate a little less than 1/4th of the total agricultural land in Florida. This method of irrigation involves use of open ditches or buried tubes to maintain water-table depth at a desired level near the bottom or below the crop root zone.

How can the impact of drought be minimized?

Good watering/irrigation practices that induce hydration of the root zone improves the water holding capacity of the soil and keeps the soil hydrated for a long time. Surface irrigation or overhead watering induces water losses through surface runoff and inefficient hydration of the crop/tree root zone.

Plant spacing decreases the competition for water among the plant population and keeps the available water at good levels for the crops or trees.

Mulching is another technique, which helps increase the soil moisture retention capacity of the soil. This helps water availability for the plants for a longer period of time.

Can we irrigate any time we please?

Irrigation timing is the key to obtain a good crop-cover and yields. Irrigating during the day translates to losses through evaporation, thus, irrigating when the temperatures are cooler is important to conserve water. We have learned to rely on the automatic sprinkler systems, which applies small amounts of water several times weekly. It does not take into consideration any precipitation received. This practice although convenient, is in fact detrimental to the grass as it does not allow the grass to perform well under the conditions of drought. Infrequent and longer irrigations assist in establishing a deeper and more viable root system.

How does soil condition determine the quantity of irrigation water?

Physical and chemical quality and condition of a soil is a big determinant in the amount of irrigation required. Solid particles in the soil determine the texture of a soil. The largest solid particles are found in sandy soils and smallest in clayey soils. Whereas silt has a medium texture. Due to high porosity sandy soils have low soil retention capacity, which means that the water can drain below the root zone very quickly making the water-availability very low for the crops. Clayey soils on the other hand have high water retention capacity and may require less volumes of water and longer intervals of irrigation.

Soil structure also plays an important role in determining the quantity of water needed for irrigation. High organic content of the soil improves the soil structure and helps is aeration, fertility and biological activities conducive to plant growth. Organic content of the soils also increases the water holding capacity of the soil thus making the irrigation requirement more efficient.

What are some of the water-conserving irrigation methods?

There are various irrigation methods that can help in water conserving techniques. We can assess the need of irrigation by testing the soil-moisture of the soil. Add organic matter to the soil to improve structure, which also improves the water holding capacity of the soil. Preparation of soil at deep depths, which helps plants to get established in the soil sooner and increases the interval of irrigation time. Mulching deters the growth of weeds, which can use a lot of water. Using an efficient irrigation system like trickle/drip irrigation system also reduces the water losses. These systems apply water at a slow rate and directly to the root zone through pipes. Although, drip irrigation systems are expensive but they pay off in the long run.

Soil and Water

What is soil?

Soil is made up of a variety of solid particles most of which are oxides of inorganic elements, it also has organic component which makes soil conducive to plant growth.

What causes transportation and deposition of soil?

Soil is transported from one place to other by both air and water. Physical, chemical and biological processes break the bond by which the soil particles adhere to each other. This increases the potential of the soil particle to be transported from one place to the other.

What is soil-organic-matter?

Soil-organic-matter defines the soil organic components of the soil, including decayed and un-decayed plant matter, partially and totally decomposed animal wastes and tissues and the microorganisms.

What is soil erosion?

Processes by which soil is removed form one place by forces such as wind, water, waves, glaciers, and construction activity and eventually deposited at some new place.

Water for Livestock and Poultry

Are animals affected by water quality?

Just as humans animals also get adversely affected by poor water quality. High phosphorus and nitrogen content in a waterbody encourages algae growth which produce toxins. Animals drinking water from such streams or rivers either reduce their water intake or get ill, resulting in poor production and profit loss. Organic wastes in the water body can introduce pathogens like giardia and cryptosporidium, which are hazardous to animal health and can sometime cause death. Other inorganic elements from pesticides and fertilizer application from agricultural lands can enter the water sources and cause ill-effects on consumption from the animals.

How can we protect our livestock from water pollution problems?

Common sense and responsible attitude can be tremendously helpful in the reduction of water quality problems. Good management practices help reduce the amount of pollutants from entering the waterbodies that animals consume. Regular testing of water for its quality may help in identifying the problem faster and controlling them. Minimum use of toxic chemicals also protects the animals from getting affected by poor water quality.

What are waste lagoons?

Waste lagoons are engineered structures that are utilized for collection, storage, and treatment of organic wastes. The wastes in these lagoons go through biological treatment, which involves beneficial bacteria. When the waste is free of pathogens and has decomposed it is applied to the agricultural lands as organic fertilizer.

Approximately how much animal waste is produced each year in Florida?

How does waste produced in livestock facilities reach surface water and groundwater?

The waste used as fertilizer has bacteria and other microorganisms, which can reach surface water through runoff if the waste application is higher than needed. If the waste water is applied to a land near to a stream the runoff can reach the stream or river easily and contaminate the water source. Slopes enhance the speed of runoff and any water source downhill of the field will receive contaminants easily. Floodwater can cause an overflow in the open lagoons and increase the area of contamination due to high flow.

How can we monitor waste generated from animal facilities?

There are number of things that can help monitor the waste from animal facilities. According to new requirements lagoons should have cement lining as earthen lagoons facilitate seepage of pollutants to the groundwater. Regular maintenance of animal facilities, limited use of water in containment structure, utilization of appropriate BMPs, such as fencing, filter strips along the length of a waterbody, and building of animal structures as far away as possible from water, can all reduce water contamination from animal facilities.

Water Quality Testing Monitoring

Why do we need water testing?

Water testing is not always important, although it is useful. However, in one or many of the following cases water testing becomes important:

Bad taste or odor
Hardness in water
When moving in a new area
To customize your water treatment setup
If there is a recurrent episode of gastrointestinal problems
Worried about health
Septic tank is too close to the water well
There is a livestock facility nearby
You want to test the quality of a newly constructed well
You suspect pesticide or any other chemical to have spilled in or near the well
There is a chemical plant nearby
Clothes have stains after washing

What is water-quality monitoring?

Water-quality monitoring requires regular testing of all water to see if they are meeting the requirements. It also involves inspection, investigation, and analyses of sources of pollutants.

Why monitor water-quality?

Water quality monitoring has become important with the increase in amounts of effluents entering our water sources. Water quality monitoring helps us identify the source of problem when health and other adverse effects are observed due to water impairment. The main objectives of water-quality monitoring, as defined by USGS, are:

To test the present condition of water quality in the rivers, lakes, and reservoirs
To assess if the water quality improvement measures taken have helped improve, not affected or degraded the water quality
Reasons for water quality degradation and techniques to improve it
Assess the effect of floods or droughts on drinkable water
To customize a water treatment plant so that water can be treated to a drinkable level or better

Who monitors water quality in the state of Florida?

The five water management districts (WMDs) are responsible for water quality monitoring in their respective areas. These WMDs are under the jurisdiction of Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Can we test water at home?

Yes, there are several kits available in the market that test drinking water to identify basic problems like coliform bacteria and nitrate pollution. There are more sophisticated kits also available that test drinking water for dissolved oxygen, hardness, carbon dioxide levels, alkalinity, chlorides, phosphate, other forms of nitrogen like ammonia, and sulfates. In cases where the problems may be more severe, a professional testing team should be involved.

What are the basic water-quality tests?

A basic water testing can help identify levels of bacteria, pesticides (specially Atrazine and Simazine), nitrate, nitrite, hardness, chlorine, alkalinity, pH, and lead.

What is the "Index of Biological Integrity'?

A measure of the ability to support and maintain balanced, integrated, functionality in the natural habitat of a given region. Concept is applied primarily in drinking water management.

Water Resource Information

What does the term water-resource entail?

Water-resource refers to all the sources of water including, surface, ground and subsurface water, which is available for use for any purpose, be it consumption, agricultural, or recreational.

What are the various water resource in the state of Florida?

Water is abundant in Florida. The state receives about 53 inches of rainfall every year, which is much higher than the national average of 30 inches (Carriker, 1984). The amount of water that is available is the difference of rainfall and evaporation volumes. Since the topography of Florida is flat and drainage is not conducive much of the water is lost in evaporation. But after-rain-runoff is also high, which contributes directly to the creeks, streams, and rivers. Even with the high evaporation losses, rainfall are one of the water resources in Florida.

Florida is home of several big streams like, Apalachicola, Flint, and Chattahoochee rivers. Suwannee river is the second largest in the state. Many other rivers and springs contribute to Suwannee. Choctawhatchee, Escambia, St. Johns, Kissimmee, and Peace rivers are some other rivers that are a part of Florida's water resources.

In spite of several rivers and springs, Florida's main water resources are in its aquifers. Floridian aquifer is the principal source of water for most of the state. It is the source for several municipal water systems and domestic water supplies. The lower eastern coastal cities get most of their water from Biscayne aquifer. Biscayne aquifer is recharged chiefly from rainwater and canals linked to Lake Okeechobee. A sand-and-gravel aquifer supplies water to the western part of Florida's panhandle. Water from this aquifer is of very high quality and is supplied from local rainfalls.

Can we increase the available water resources?

Our actions are closely related to environmental impacts. Global warming is said to have changed the climatic conditions dramatically. Precipitation and evaporation rates both have increased in the nation. In places where evaporation rate is higher than the precipitation rate the soil have become drier and with poor drainage conditions the rate of recharge of our aquifers and groundwater systems at large are under great danger.

What is water resource management?

Water resource management involves a balancing act between optimized water-use and environmental protection. It also maintains a stable supply of freshwater to suffice the continuous social and economic demand.

How does aquifer-replenishment happen?

Replenishment of aquifers is a part of a hydrological cycle. When rain water enters soil surface through infiltration and percolates to the underground aquifers, while adding to the water supply.

Water Use and Requirements

How is water-use classified?

Two major classification of water usage are in-stream and withdrawal.

In-stream use

Recreation

Fishing

Transportation

Wildlife

Withdrawal

Irrigation

Municipal use

Thermal power generation

Mineral extraction

Manufacturing

How is water-use estimated?

Water use estimation is a compilation of several approaches. Water management districts play an important role in water-use estimation through their water use programs. The water-use program compile data for major categories of water use for all 67 counties on a monthly basis. Data are collected for all sources of withdrawal including fresh and saline, ground and surface water. Other data collected will include acreage irrigated for 29 specific crop types, wastewater discharge from public and industrial facilities, aquifer withdrawals, water reused for irrigation, water used for desalinization, and site-specific pumpage for commercial, industrial and power-generation facilities.

What does public supply refer to?

Public supply refers to water withdrawn by public and private water suppliers that furnish water to at least 25 people or have a minimum of 15 connections. Public-supply water may be delivered to users for domestic, commercial, industrial, or thermoelectric-power purposes.

Does domestic water-use include watering of lawns and gardens?

Domestic water use is also termed as residential water use, which more explanatory. Yes, domestic water use does include irrigation of lawns and gardens.

How much water on an average is used for domestic purposes?

About 3,600 million gallons of water per day is used in Florida for domestic purposes.

In what ways is water used for livestock?

Use of water for livestock includes watering livestock, feedlots, dairy operations, and other farm needs. Dairy cows, heifers, beef cattle and calves, sheep, pigs and poultry all are considered livestock. Water is also used for some other livestock needs such as cooling of facilities for the animals and products, sanitation and washing of facilities, animal waste-disposal systems, and water losses.

How much water, approximately, is used for/in livestock facilities?

Around 1700 million gallons per day is used in livestock facilities in the state of Florida.

How does water-use affect water-quality?

Excessive water use affects water quality. High demands and overuse of water resources increases nonpoint pollutants. Surface withdrawals can alter in stream flows. Excessive withdrawals contribute to saltwater intrusion in groundwater. And runoff rate increases due to over-irrigation of agricultural land. Runoff water from agricultural lands are potential carriers of pollutants like sediments, organic solids, chemicals from pesticides, soluble nutrients like selenium and iron, and microorganisms, all of which contribute to the degradation of water quality.

Wildlife and Water

How is human activity related to impaired water-quality for wildlife?

Pollution from agricultural, industrial, and urban areas threatens wildlife terrestrial and aquatic. Chemicals from agricultural lands, like fertilizers and pesticides, can alter soil and water quality and can be harmful, and sometimes fatal, to many wildlife species. Run-off from agricultural fields pollute waterbodies by increasing nutrients and chemicals in the nearby rivers, lakes, and streams. These pollutants interfere with the aquatic food chains and poison many aquatic species. Terrestrial wildlife that may be using these waterways for consumption may also ingest harmful toxins, which may result in decline of their population.

Many other human activities such as, severe deforestations, overuse of water-resources, global warming, urbanization, over-fishing, poaching, and mining all affect wildlife adversely.

Can impaired water quality threaten endangered species any further?

Yes, endangered species are already on a threshold of extinction and thus are more vulnerable to all human activities. Impaired water quality can be a constant source of life-threat to the already endangered species and can result in total destruction of a whole species, which is already extinct.

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Last Revised on: 11/20/2007