East Everglades Ground Water Quality Monitoring Study, 1985-1986

Anderson, Steven; Shaw, Jonathon

This study contains information regarding the general health of the public involving clean and safe-to-ingest water quality of the areas within Everglades National Park. Prompted by the Department of Environmental Regulation and under the guidelines of the Everglades National Park/East Everglades Resource Planning and Management Committee Implementation Plan, the South Florida Water Management District initiated a two year East Everglades ground water monitoring study. This study was proposed in order to determine the potential adverse water quality impact(s) to the Biscayne Aquifer resulting from current agricultural practices conducted within the South Dade Agriculture Area of study. A monitoring network consisting of 20 sampling locations, both surface and ground water, was established within the agricultural areas bordering the L-31 Borrow Canal and sampled throughout the 1985-86 growing seasons. Network stations were sited in areas deemed representative of active and nonactive agricultural practices. Both surface and ground water quality data were compared and contrasted for selected indicator inorganic and organic (pesticides) chemical constituents. In general, the water quality data indicate elevated concentrations for select inorganic and organic parameters representative of agricultural activity. However, overall water quality displayed by the Biscayne Aquifer within the area of study meets established regulatory standards. Current farming practices, combined with the process of dilution attained during the wet season, appear to minimize the overall impact of agriculture on the water resources of the Biscayne Aquifer.