Florida Water Geek

  Celebrate  National Estuaries Week Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve - Photo by Donna Kaluzniak© National Estuaries Week is September 19 - 27, 2026 .  Estuaries are ecosystems where rivers meet the sea. Typically, fresh water and salt water meet to form brackish water that changes with the tides. Plants and animals in estuaries must be adaptable to these changes. Estuaries also serve as buffer zones, providing flood protection, preventing erosion and filtering pollutants. They provide safe areas for numerous fish, shellfish, and birds, including many threatened and endangered species. There are only 30 National Estuarine Research Reserves in the United States. The Guana Reserve is one. Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM Reserve) , sometimes called Guana Reserve, is right down the road from my house!  The GTM Reserve protects 76,760 acres in Nort...

  Septic Tanks Protect Our Water September 14 - 18, 2026 is SepticSmart Week , so I thought it would be a good time to highlight these important treatment systems!  SepticSmart Week is EPA's annual event to bring attention to the importance of maintaining septic tank systems. Thirty percent of Florida's population use septic systems, also known as onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS). That's about 2.6 million septic systems in operation in the state.  They are often used in rural areas where centralized wastewater treatment plants are not practical, but may also be found in suburban locations. Septic tanks are located on the home or business property, and the property owner is responsible for their inspection and maintenance. How Do Septic Systems Work? Septic systems are more than just holding tanks. They provide provide treatment of all the water used in your home or business, protecting groundwater, springs, and surface waters. The septic tank provide...

  Protecting Water Systems from Cross-Connections What is a Cross-Connection? A cross-connection is any connection between potable (drinking) water and non-potable water.  The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) defines a cross connection as " any temporary or permanent connection between a public water system or consumer’s potable (i.e., drinking) water system and any source or system containing nonpotable water or other subs tances. " FDEP requires all water utilities to have a  Cross Connection Control Program  to prevent contamination of the drinking water distribution system with any type of non-potable substances.  The program must include requirements for backflow protection where possible cross-connections could happen. How to Prevent Cross-Connections Preventing Cross-Connections in the Water Distribution Pipelines FDEP rules require all water distribution piping to be physically separated by at least 3 feet from all other pipeline...

  Looking at Water from a Century Ago to the Next 100 Years Last week I attended a seminar by the Young Professionals of the American Water Works Association , Florida Section-- A Century of Water: Lessons from the Past, Vision for the Next 100 Years . The sessions were not only interesting, but thought provoking, so I wanted to recap and share some of the main points I believe are important. 100 Years of Hialeah and the Future of Water Virginia Walsh, P.G., Ph.D., Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department The presentation started with a history the Hialeah Water Treatment Plant that was placed in service in 1924 and the wells that were permitted to supply the water. This water plant is still active and looks as beautiful today.  From there, Ms. Walsh reviewed the various permits and modifications for the Hialeah water system over the years.  Permits for water treatment systems are based on a number of factors, which include water sources , treatment methods , water usage an...

  Water for People and Progress Photo from SIWI Website Water for People and Progress --that is the theme for this year's World Water Week, August 23 through 27, 2026. World Water Week is organized and hosted by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) each year. The conference brings together researchers, policy makers, and boots-on-the-ground people to advance solutions to water issues. It's one of the leading global conferences on all things water. SIWI is an independent, non-profit organization. While it's based in Stockholm, Sweden, SIWI operates globally to work on water security and sustainability for all.  You Can Attend! Most of us can't drop everything and pay for a trip to Sweden to attend a conference. But the good news is that anyone who wishes can attend online for free . The schedule is available on the World Water Week website .  Register here for the Online Full Access Pass free of charge . (Sorry this is too late for Monday - but the remaini...

 August 16 of every year is National Backflow Prevention Day.  So, why does backflow prevention get its own special day? Because these not-so-attractive backflow prevention devices keep contamination from entering the drinking water.  What is a Backflow Preventer? Photo by Donna Kaluzniak A backflow preventer is a device that is used to protect  drinking water systems from contaminants that could backflow into them. They are a critical part of a utility's Cross-Connection Control Program . Cross-connections occur whenever there is a physical connection between potable and non-potable water. Changes in water pressure can create backflow from a business, industry or residence. As an example, an industrial plant may use water to mix with chemicals. Normally, the water distribution system is pressurized. But if pressure is lost, for instance due to a fire or large water break, the water in the industrial plant could flow backwards into the utility's distribution system....

Discover One of the Largest Springs in the World-- Wakulla Spring Wakulla Spring - Photo by Donna Kaluzniak© Florida has an estimated 1,000 freshwater springs, and 31 are designated as first-magnitude. First-magnitude springs have a flow of at least 64.6 million gallons per day. One first-magnitude spring is Wakulla Spring , located 14 miles south of Tallahassee, in Edward Ball Wakulla Spring State Park. With a flow of about 400 million gallons per day , it more than meets first-magnitude criteria.  Wakulla Spring is also designated as one of 30 Outstanding Florida Springs ,  which requires additional protection for conservation and restoration.  Wakulla Spring is one of the largest and deepest springs in the world . Fed by the Upper Floridan Aquifer , it discharges mostly to the Wakulla River, which feeds the St. Marks River that flows to the Apalachee Bay Estuary.  The spring vent is located 180 feet below ground, connected to over 40 miles of caverns and tunnels t...

  Important Information About Your Drinking Water Sarasota County Water Quality Report Notice Every community water system is required to provide annual Water Quality Reports (also called Consumer Confidence Reports) to all customers by July 1 each year.  These reports may be mailed, or a link to the report may be included on your bill and/or in a local newspaper. Most water utilities also have an easy-to-find link to the report on their website. If you cannot find your report, contact the utility department and request a copy.  You may also be able to find a copy on EPA's Consumer Confidence Report website , or you can call EPA's SAFE WATER HOTLINE at 1-800-426-4791. What Does Your Water Quality Report Tell You? Your Water Quality Report first gives you basic information about your drinking water: The source of your drinking water (which aquifer, river, lake, etc.) and treatment methods A summary of Florida DEP's assessment of any potential contamination of the so...

Have you ever wondered . . .  Where your drinking water comes from? How it gets treated?  How it's delivered to your faucet?   Your Water Utility Water Tower at Fantasy of Flight, Polk City Photo by Donna Kaluzniak In Florida, about 88% of people get their drinking water (also called potable water) from a utility.  The rest of the population have their own private wells. Some utilities provide more than just water. They may also include electric, gas, or sanitation.  Public water systems (PWS) --are water utilities that are owned by a local government or agency. They serve about 93% of Florida's population. Sometimes the water utility is part of a city or county public works department.  Florida has nearly 5,000 public water systems, but only about one-third (1,585) are community water systems that provide drinking water to homes year-round. The remaining two-thirds serve businesses, schools, campgrounds, factories, and other nonresidential facilities. Priv...