Florida’s Water Quality

Posted: March 27th, 2020

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Florida’s Water Quality

The quality of water is usually gauged by various aspects, which normally comprise the concentrated level of dissolved oxygen, the levels of bacteria, the quantity of salinity or salt in the water, and the quantity of material or matter suspended within the water. In certain masses of water, the amount of pesticides, heavy metals, herbicides, as well as other contaminating genets may be incorporated in the determination of water quality (FDEP “Water Resource Protection Programs”). In the state of Florida, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is responsible for gauging the quality of water across the respective location. In particular, the efforts of the FDEP in terms of maintaining significant water quality is based specifically on the relationship between the consumption of water and the endorsement of human health. Arguably, the quality of water in Florida is optimal; however, it is not excluded from potential affective factors that may disrupt it.

In overview, the state of Florida is in charge of ensuring the quality of large amounts of water resources disseminated across the locale. Accordingly, there are nearly 54000 miles of streams and rivers, 49000 miles of ditches and canals, over 2300 square miles of ponds, lakes, and reservoirs, more than 3600 square miles of coastal waters and estuaries as well as over 1000 springs (FDEP “Watershed Assessment”). In addition to this, the state of Florida is aware of the high number of wells, which focus on the provision of water for irrigation uses. The extensive nature of the water resources in the state of Florida illustrates the susceptibility concerning the maintenance of water quality which ma actually affect the resources in question especially if the FDEP does not implement measures aimed at preventing such unfortunate occurrences.

For over 90 percent of residents living in the state of Florida, groundwater acts as the key resource of water consumption. Interestingly, the utilization of water supply by the public has amplified by more than 100 percent over the last three decades (EPA 45). Information amassed from more than 1900 wells within the monitoring network of Florida illustrates optimal water quality (Southern Regional Water Program para. 1). Despite this, the contamination problems that stand to affect the respective resource are present. Chemical compounds usually applied in agricultural practices such as bromacil, aldicarb, simazine, as well as ethylene dibromide have imposed regional, and local issues related to the consumption of water and its respective quality (EPA 122). Other threats comprise the use of petroleum products from seeping underground reserve tanks, pesticides in stormwater overspill, nitrates derived from dairy as well as livestock operations, and harmful chemical compounds that originate from dangerous waste sites (Southern Regional Water Program para. 1). Based on the respective information, it is evident that the state of Florida needs periodic evaluations of all water systems used within the community for more than 110 toxic organic chemical compounds (Southern Regional Water Program para. 1).

To this end, water quality mainly illustrates the condition present in the water inclusive of physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Normally, the respective aspect is measured in relation to suitability in terms of utilization or consumption. The quality of water in the state of Florida is optimal based on the measuring standards performed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Presently, the FDEP has expressed awareness towards the possible contaminants that may actually pose an altering effect on the present quality of water across the state. Apart from chemical substances from practices related to the field of agriculture, other surrounding aspects such as the effects of an increasing population, the state’s stormwater rule, and the application of sum maximum routine loads are actually capable of posing a negative impact on water quality hence rendering the state population to considerable health risks.

Works Cited

Florida Department of Environmental Protection. “Water Resource Protection Programs”. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, n. d. Web. 6 Jul. 2016. <http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/>

 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. “Watershed Assessment”. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, n. d. Web. 6 Jul. 2016. <http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/watersheds/assessment/index.htm/>

Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Integrated Water Quality Assessment for Florida. Tallahassee: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2015. Print.

Southern Regional Water Program. “Drinking Water and Human Health in Florida”. Southern Regional Water Program, n. d. Web. 6 Jul. 2016. <http://srwqis.tamu.edu/florida/program-information/florida-target-themes/drinking-water-and-human-health/>

United States Environmental Protection Agency. Review of the EPA’s Economic Analysis of Final Water Quality Standards for Nutrients for Lakes and Flowing Waters in Florida. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press, 2015. Print.