Presidents Report by Lyndel Hale
I’m writing this message to you on a beautiful Palm Sunday , and I thank God for all the many blessings he has bestowed on me. America is still the best country on the face of this earth. Seeking and asking God for guidance all things are possible. We have some very big challenges ahead for the next several years and of course our group is concentrating on our local lakes and water supplies. This past Friday I visited the City of Waldo’s Waste Water Treatment Facility. I was very pleased to see how it worked. My tour was conducted by Mr. Bernard Carter the Supervisor of the Plant. In comparison this is considered a small plant to bigger cities, but in my opinion it is a good example of how bigger waste water plants should operate. First, the plant’s current out put of final effluent is about 70,000 gallons a day, that’s very clean water. Waldo is currently seeking a grant from the State of Florida that will double the plants size to 140,000 gallons a day. The PH for that day was about 0.92. The final effluent goes into a 5 acre pond. There are two 5 acre ponds which are rotated for use or higher capacity because of rain. The PH reading leaving the ponds was 00.02. Mr. Carter takes readings daily to insure the quality of the water because it then goes into Lake Alto. The ponds were created to help remove nitrates and further cleanse the water. So where there was once high and dry lands, there are now 10 acres of wetlands. The area was abundant with wildlife. I saw many different types of birds, ducks, turtles, and minnows. Mr. Carter also said because of the green vegetation on the roads and surrounding area, there are many deer. My hope is that among the many options we are currently working on is that we can use this example in our area. How? Well, we have the city of Starke, Camp Blanding, Middleburg, Orange Park, Jacksonville —just to name a few. Where does their final effluent go? I think most of it goes to the ocean via streams and rivers. I have been told for example that the city of Jacksonville releases some 50 million gallons a day into the St. Johns River. This process must be changed because with the continued growth in population we are pumping our state dry and losing our precious wetlands. While talking with Mr. Carter he agreed that with the current draw down on the Floridan Aquifer system recycling is a very good idea. Our area would be a better recycle area because our streams and lakes are of the highest recharge to the Floridan Aquifer (in this area). We also have huge areas between us and the St. Johns River that can be restored or help recharge the Floridian Aquifer. I intend on trying to get all Stakeholders in the area to unite, to be better stewards of our resources for this generation and the next if God wills it.
Thank you for your continued support,
Vice Presidents Report by Dennis Barnhardt
Did You Know?
We have discussed in many articles about our lake region being a recharge to the aquifer system. Some people still question what is an aquifer? Approximately 90 percent of the residents, industries and utilities in east-central and north Florida use water which comes from the aquifer for their daily needs. As our population grows this threatens the availability of our drinking water.
An Aquifer is a huge underground area of porous sand, shell, limestone and rock that holds water. This water can be freshwater and salt water. Freshwater is generally the water found in the uppermost portion of an aquifer, while due to its weight, salt water is found at greater depths. Our area because of its unique geological makeup has three aquifer layers.
First being the Surficial Aquifer, which is commonly reflected by our lakes. Second is the Intermediate Aquifer and thirdly is the Floridan Aquifer. The Floridan Aquifer is the largest aquifer in Southeast United States.
The Floridan Aquifer lies beneath all of Florida, and portions of Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and extends into the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The Floridan Aquifer on the average can range from 400 to 2,000 feet below the earths surface and in some areas of central Florida the aquifer can be found at the land surface. In Florida, the Floridan aquifer is closer to the earths surface in north central Florida and deeper in the north and south.
The water in the aquifers is replenished by rainfall through recharge areas. Florida averages about 50 inches of rainfall per year. However not all of that water reaches the aquifer. St. Johns River Water Management District hydrologist have calculated that about 37 inches of that rainfall evaporates or runs off the land before it reaches the aquifer. Waters downward movement is measured in inches per year and the lateral movement is measured in feet per year.
Scientist have concluded by “age dating” the water in the Floridan Aquifer is between 17 to 26,000 years old. The reason why the age varies in the water is because of the time it takes for the water to permeate vertically through different types of soil. Sandy soils, like the soil we are accustom to seeing in our area, is best suited for allowing the water to penetrate into the ground. (Thus the word recharge comes into play) Clay soils, like you would see in Starke and Melrose, are more difficult to seep through.
We must realize the threat to our aquifer systems. The aquifer is impacted not only by periods of drought but also by peoples activities. The natural recharge to the aquifer can be altered by changes in the landscape, such as housing developments, shopping centers, parking lots, paved roads and industries.
SJRWMD has summed it up by stating, “Besides practicing water conservation, another way to make sure that high quality drinking water is available in an aquifer when it is needed, is for people to lessen their dependence on groundwater. Alternative sources to groundwater include reclaimed water and removing salt from brackish surface water and seawater.”
News You Can Use
March 19,2007
The Mayor and City Council of Keystone Heights has passed a Resolution requesting the legislature to fund the study proposed to research the potential solutions to the low lake levels in the Keystone Heights area.
The resolution was read and unanimously approved on Monday March 19. The resolution read as follows:
Resolution No. 2007-159
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Keystone Heights, Florida, urging members of the Clay County Legislative Delegation to support the Upper Etonia Creek Basin Lake Brooklyn Watershed Study member budget request during the 2007 legislative session.
Whereas, the protection of water resources is of paramount interest to the citizens of the State of Florida; and
Whereas, the Upper Etonia Creek Basin is a hydro-geologically unique area serving as a recharge area for the Floridan Aquifer; and
Whereas, there have been recent modifications to improve water flow within the basin to increase levels of the chain of lakes within the watershed area; and
Whereas, it is important that a detailed study be performed to determine the causes and find potential solutions to the continued reduction on water flow and losses in surficial aquifer recharge; and
Whereas, the Florida Legislature will convene in Regular Session on March 6,2007 to address the needs and concerns of the citizens of the State of Florida.
Now therefore let it resolved by Mayor Mary Lou Hildreth on behalf of the City Council of the City of Keystone Heights, that:
Section 1: The City Council of the City of Keystone Heights urge the members of the Clay County Legislative Delegation to support an appropriation of $50,000 for the Upper Etonia Creek Basin Lake Brooklyn Watershed Study.
Section 2: Copies of this resolution shall be provided to the members of the Clay County Legislative Delegation.
Passed and adopted this 19 day of March, 2007
Now it was by the request of our district Florida House of Representatives Mr. Joe Pickens, that both the city of Keystone Heights and the Board of Clay County Commissioners adopt and support this resolution for the funding to be added in the budget when he presents it to the Florida Legislature for consideration for appropriation.
On Tuesday, March 27, 2007, our district Clay County Commissioner, Chereese Stewart, presented the resolution to the Board of Clay County Commissioners, but because there was no council present from the city of Keystone Heights to speak on behalf of the resolution the commissioners opted to put the hearing for approval on hold until the next meeting.
The next Clay County Board of Commissioners meeting will be Tuesday April 10, 2:00 PM, at the Administrative Building in Green Cove Springs.
