The Strategic Development of a Sole Source Aquifer to Improve Water Quality While Minimizing Environmental Impact

by Marc V. Cromer, James M. Montgomery (JMM) Inc, Walnut Creek, United States,
Mark J. Abbott, James M. Montgomery (JMM) Inc, Walnut Creek, United States,
Shih-Huang Chieh, James M. Montgomery (JMM) Inc, Walnut Creek, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water Management in the '90s: A Time for Innovation

Abstract:

A water supply project is currently underway which prevents future degradation of a sole source aquifer while providing a groundwater resource with limited usage restrictions. Salt water intrusion at the coastline and along estuary canals is the principle component currently contributing to this degradation. Projected water demands were expected to exacerbate the current water quality situation at existing coastal wellfields, if an alternative supply was not developed. The selected water supply alternative provides for the consolidated 'buildout' raw water demand of several coastal treated water purveyors through an inland groundwater supply. The specific strategic objectives were to meet year 2030 projected demands without significant cutbacks or degradation during a design drought condition of 210 days. To realize these objectives, site selection alternatives for the inland systems were determined using specific design and regulatory criteria, and evaluated through aquifer performance testing and numerical groundwater flow modeling. The interaction between ground and surface waters in this environmentally sensitive South Florida region also added to site selection complexity. Numerical modeling was required to assess potential drawdown impacts on the coastal saltwater intrusion front, existing local groundwater users, surface water features, and individual well performance within the designed wellfield.

Subject Headings: Water shortage | Water quality | Water supply | Water demand | Water resources | Salt water intrusion | Numerical models | Florida | United States

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