BROWARD WATER ADVISORY BOARD & TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING – June 29, 2015
A. New Stratigraphic and Structural Interpretations of the Floridian Aquifer System and
Intermediate Confining Unit from Seismic-Reflection and Well Data in Broward County:
Although data has been collected since 1910, no interpretations have been made of this data.
Seismic studies are being made of the ocean floor to identify the collapsed areas. Land-based
seismic studies will soon follow. When these studies are completed, there will be charts
identifying the collapsed areas and any upwelling caused by these collapsed areas so that wells
will not be drilled in areas that have collapsed. The maps will establish baselines that define
aquatic layers thus helping water and sewer workers better plan for water management such as
well drilling.
B. Application of the South Florida Water Management District’s (SFWMD) East Coast Floridian
Model to the Upper East coast Planning Region: The modeling was done in two phases
beginning in 2006. The model application to the Upper East Coast Water Supply Planning
Process was slated for 2014-2015. Irrigation demands are being calculated using the University
of Florida program as applied to the SFWMD. The public water supply demands are being
calculated from historical per capita use and upon future population projections. A net increase
in demands from the Floridian Aquifer System for the upper east coast planning region of
approximately 25 million gallons per day. Residential irrigation demands remain relatively
constant with slight increases projected. Coastal public water supply demands will increase
within the planning region and demands adjacent to the planning region are also projected to
increase. The Upper Floridian Aquifer results show that continued withdrawals at the current
rates (2013) in Indian River County and northern St. Lucie County will have a combined effect on
water levels and quality. Potential decreases in water levels due to pumping risks decreases in
artesian flow for agricultural users in St. Lucie County. Water quality degradation will likely
continue for public water supply in St. Lucie, Martin and N. Palm Beach counties as determined
by the results of the Avon Park Permeable Zone.
C. Hydrologic Conditions Update: Rainfall has been down 4.75 % for the year putting us into a
moderate draught. Projections for increased rainfall for June have not proven to be accurate.
In summary, groundwater measurements are below average, chloride levels match long term
trends and are not influenced by recent conditions and locally conditions have been dry
especially in coastal areas. Regionally levels are average to high. Conditions in Broward are
abnormally dry but improvements are forecast.
Submitted by: Terry Lianzi, Member At-Large