Geothermal cooling could save 2 million kilowatts a month at new Orange City schools

Published Jun 29, 2008
Geothermal, literally, means earth (geo) heat (therm). In other parts of the country, naturally warm air from beneath the earth's surface is used to heat homes and water. Volusia County Schools will use the technology to cool schools.

Drago said water from the Floridan Aquifer, which is a constant 72 degrees, will be sucked up through pipes to the surface plant. Warm air will be pushed over pipes containing the cool water. The air and water will exchange heat, leaving the water warm, and the air cooled.

Of the options available to save money on heating and cooling, the location of the Orange City schools favored geothermal cooling.

...millions of gallons of chilly water are flowing below the site toward Blue Spring, minimizing the possibility of intrusion or leaching that might occur as a result of temporary withdrawals for the schools' cooling system.
Source

Blue Springs water use permit will not be revoked by water district

Published 6/27/2008
A water use permit for a proposed water bottling plant on Poe Springs Road will not be revoked following a mediation agreement.

Blue Springs Properties will still need to be granted a special use permit from Gilchrist County before a water bottling plant could be built.

The separate water use permit issued by the Suwannee River Water Management District was in jeopardy of being revoked following two years of non-use.

But mediation between the water district and Blue Springs was resolved on June 20, with the permit being valid until the year 2018.
Source

Skeletal remains from river ID'd

Published June 26, 2008
Skeletal remains found earlier this month at the bottom of the Suwannee River have been identified as those of a drowning victim from 2003.

The remains were confirmed as those of Luis Alberto Vargas, a Colombian national, on June 20, Sheriff Tony Cameron said, but family members could not be immediately located.
Source

Weeki Wachee mermaids double up as calendar girls

Posted Jun 25, 2008
Weeki Wachee Springs is now selling its first-ever calendar featuring its famed mermaids. The 16-month edition (which kicks off with September 2008) showcases underwater scenes captured by photographer Andrew Brusso, a Florida native, who has photographed celebrities including Ellen DeGeneres, Jerry Seinfeld, Will Smith, Jim Carrey and LeBron James.

It's a limited edition of 2,700 copies. The calendar will be for sale in the park's gift shop beginning July 1, but it can be pre-ordered online now at http://www.weekiwachee.com
Source

Ruth Walker Springs restoration update

Published June 25, 2008
After a lengthy delay, resulting from inclement weather and other factors, the Suwannee River Water Management District has announced the Ruth Walker Springs restoration project will begin this week.

Already, construction workers moved their equipment to the site on Monday, June 23, and began construction work the next day. Ruth Walker Springs is located about 10 miles southeast of Mayo on CR 425 off SR 27.
Source

Little Devil Spring unusual but fun for divers

Published Jun. 26, 2008
At the popular Ginnie Springs Outdoors park, I was able to -- literally -- drop in on four of the park's seven springs and explore 1,000 feet of the adjacent Santa Fe River -- all in a single-tank drift dive recently.

Every day, as much as 80 million gallons of fresh water bubble up from beneath the earth's surface through Little Devil, Devil's Eye and Devil's Ear springs.

The flow is so strong out of the constricted, dungeon-like entrance to the Ear that it can push an unwary diver backward or cause a regulator to free-flow. At nearby Ginnie Spring, another 35 million gallons spew up every day through the bars erected to block the entrance to the narrow cave opening. Our object was to experience all these spring flows directly in our faces.
Source

Blue Green Algae - Have You been Slimed? (Brochure)

Click Image to enlarge

PDF Version

Thanks to Andrew Reich, the Coordinator of the Aquatic Toxins Program
Division of Environmental Health for the electronic version of this brochure.

More Info:
http://www.myfloridaEH.com
Aquatic Toxins Hotline 1.888.232.8635

Septic Tank Stakeholder Workshop - Wakulla County

Septic Tank Stakeholder Workshop
Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 6:30 PM
Wakulla County Library
4330 Crawfordville Highway
Crawfordville, FL 32327
850-926-7415

Wakulla County is a leader in the state in addressing pollution from on-site treatment and disposal systems, OSTDS (septic tanks). The Florida Department of
Environmental Protection is funding a stakeholder input project lead by the FSU Center for Economic Forecasting and Analysis and the FL Conflict Resolution Consortium to consider ways to policy refinements that address these questions:

1.Where in Wakulla County should sewers or performance-based OSTDS be required? Are there any areas where standard OSTDS would be acceptable?

2.Should the installation, maintenance and replacement of OSTDS be managed by property owners or a public or private entity?

3.How should installation and operation of OSTDS be paid for?
Source: Email received from Madeleine Carr

Agenda (Microsoft Word Format - DOC)

Florida circa 2100: Global warming's toll

Published June 23, 2008
Most of Florida pumps its drinking water from deep, underground pockets of fresh water in the Floridan Aquifer. The aquifer, however, sits in limestone, which is naturally porous. Along the coastline, there are breaks in the limestone, where the fresh water mixes with the sea.

Seawater is actually heavier and denser than fresh water because of the amount of salt and sediment in seawater. However, a large enough column of fresh water can equalize the pressure from the sea.

As long as the pressure remains constant, that zone where the fresh water and salty sea mix won't move. But that zone can shift depending on how the water pressure changes.

Rising seas will exacerbate that problem. The expanding ocean and the additional meltwater will increase the pressure of the sea as it pushes against the freshwater pockets. Eventually, it would overwhelm the fresh water and infiltrate inland wells.
Source

Group wants utilities out of St. Johns

Published June 22, 2008
For the first time, Florida's governor has been called on to formally intervene in the water war over the St. Johns River.

The Putnam County Environmental Council filed legal challenges late last week, seeking to block water managers from allowing Central Florida utilities to pump from the river.

The group contends the St. Johns River Water Management District failed to meet state law when it urged utilities to tap into the 310-mile waterway.
Source

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has voted to end bag...

Posted Jun. 22, 2008
The all-volunteer Woodville Karst Plain Project -- a group of underwater cave explorers based in Gainesville -- has announced a recent milestone in its push to connect Wakulla Springs, south of Tallahassee, with the Gulf of Mexico. On the weekend of June 13, cave divers Jarrod Jablonski and Casey McKinlay, aided by a large support team, explored more than 8,700 feet of virgin underwater cave passage 260 feet beneath the earth's surface known as Q-tunnel. Q-Tunnel, which runs south-southwest from Wakulla Springs, had been explored out to about 17,000 feet from its entrance. McKinlay describes the new passageway as ``a massive, corridor-style pipe, averaging 50 feet high by 50-100 feet wide with depths ranging from 250-285 feet.''

McKinlay said the total distance from Wakulla Springs to the new limit of exploration is 25,776 feet -- a new cave-diving distance record. He said the tunnel is wide open at the end, and he expects to make the remaining eight-mile connection to the Gulf.
Source

10 Tampa Bay water playgrounds to chill in

Posted: Jun 20, 2008
Rainbow Springs State Park. 19158 S 81st Place Road, Dunnellon in Marion County.

This is a two-hour drive north, but once there you might have trouble deciding whether you want to visit the man-made falls first or just plunge into the chilly 72-degree springs. After the immediate, mind-numbing shock, it can be wonderfully refreshing. The springs are crystal clear, and you can see fish, turtles and places where the water bubbles out of the sandy bottom (at a rate of 450-million gallons a day). The falls and accompanying gardens are remnants of what was once a tourist attraction called Blue Springs, which featured glass-bottomed boats, a monorail and a zoo. Facilities are clean and plentiful, and — pretend like you didn't read this if you don't want to spend more money — there are a concession stand and gift shop. In addition to the big swimming hole, you'll find a smaller wading area for tiny tots and canoe and kayak rentals. And the best part? Admission is just $1. The park also has a new tubing entrance, at 10830 SW 180th Avenue Road on the east side of the river. From there you can rent a tube, ride a tram upriver and then float back to your point of origin, not needing a second car. The float trip is about 90-minutes long. Sounds like a great day in Florida to us.
Source

Springs Celebration - Poe Springs

August 2, 2008
for more information:
Phone (352) 264-6827
Email: aar@currentproblems.org
Source (PDF)

First Step in St. Marks Growth Plan

Posted 6/19/2008
For the first time in a formal meeting-- the Wakulla County Commissioners met with the St. Marks City Commissioners to look at the future of St. Marks. The small fishing community is one of the oldest cities in Florida, dating back to the late 1520's. It was an industrial town, but now all that's left are the vacant buildings. Through a Community Redevelopment Agency, the city hopes to bring the town back to life.

It's where the Wakulla River and the St. Marks River comes together and it should be absolutely a gem. A tourist destination for all of north Florida and we want to make that happen again," said Wakulla County Commissioner Ed Brimner.
Source

City Council should pass tougher rules on fertilizer

Published 6/18/2008
Algal blooms - the nasty stuff that can turn the St. Johns River green, kill fish, suffocate critical vegetation and create a giant, stinking mess - have begun their summer run.

The Mayor's Office proposed a solid, tough fertilizer ordinance in early January. It's still languishing in City Council committees.

The Mayor's Office blames the council for the delay. Council members say they have questions that haven't been answered. The Mayor's Office retorts the answers are ready, just ask.
Source

2008 Wacissa River Cleanup & Fun Day

Saturday July 12, 6 AM - 2 PM

Click image to enlarge


For More Info:
850-997-2324 jimdulock@hotmail.com or edde@nettally.com
Source

Lawmakers Ask for Study of Apalachicola River, Bay

Published 6/18/2008
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-Florida) and U.S. Congressman Allen Boyd (D-North Florida) today introduced legislation calling for a comprehensive study of the water management, needs, and conservation along the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River System. The legislation introduced in the Senate and the House of Representatives would require the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to enter into an agreement with the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies to conduct a basin-wide assessment of the ACF system.

“It is clear from talking with Florida’s stakeholders, the Corps, and the Fish & Wildlife Service that more information about the ACF system, specifically the impact of freshwater flows on the Apalachicola Bay, is desperately needed,” said Boyd. “This study will show the real impact that low water flows have had on our river and bay. The National Research Council has a long history of providing policy makers and the public with expert advice based on sound scientific evidence and research. A study by the NRC will allow the three states and the Corps to develop a more successful, long term water management solution that recognizes the needs of all the users along the ACF system.”
Source

Local woman kayaks 500 miles on St. Johns River

Published June 18, 2008
When Michelle Thatcher first told friends and family that she was planning on trekking the entire St. Johns River on a 14-foot kayak, many of them told her she was crazy.

"I wanted to be as safe as possible," said Thatcher, who is the executive director of the Association of Florida Conservation Districts. "I didn't just do this on a whim. I did a lot of research and made sure I was completely prepared."

Thatcher began her trip at the true headwaters of the St. Johns River, all the way in Okeechobee County. By launching from Fort Drum Creek, Thatcher was bucking the traditional wisdom of where the river actually begins. The navigational headwaters of the river are actually much farther north at Lake Helen Blazes.
Source

Seminole County launches Web site

Published June 18, 2008
The Seminole County government is pleased to announce the launch of a new Web site featuring the proposed Yankee Lake Project, located along the St. Johns River. The Web site can be accessed at http://www.sharedwaterworks.com and was developed to provide accurate and up-to-date information about the project to the citizens of Central and Northeast Florida.

The Yankee Lake Project proposes to use a small amount of water from the St. Johns River as an alternative water supply for Seminole County. The project will use about one-quarter of one percent of the flow in the St. Johns River. Initially, this water will support Seminole County's reclaimed water irrigation system, but it will eventually meet the future potable water needs of its customers. In fact, once fully implemented, about 80 percent of the water will be used for drinking water.
Source

Regulation Looming for Septic Tanks

Posted Jun 17, 2008
As Leon County's population grows, especially in previously rural areas, so does the number of septic tanks in the county.

In a joint City-County workshop Tuesday, officials brought up the need for septic tank regulation.

Leon County Commissioner Bryan Desloge says, "We've got about 30 thousand septic tanks in Leon County today so there was an interesting discussion at the comp plan meeting today about how do we deal with septic tanks going forward specifically as it relates to Wakulla Springs and some of the impact that septic tanks are having on the south side."
Source

Couch: Floridians wrong about water

Published June 17, 2008 (Opinion)
Georgia EPD director says Florida water claims 'fiction'

Facts, not fears or fictions, are necessary for interstate cooperation on comprehensive solutions as the Savannah River valley continues to grow.

In 2007, the worst drought year on record, more than half of the entire water stored in Georgia or Alabama reservoirs on the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River system was used to support an augmented flow into Florida of at least 5,000 cubic feet per second. Flows at this level are approximately twice what nature would have provided without the use of the reservoir storage, and mitigate any loss of water associated with metro Atlanta's use by a factor of seventeen.

Carol A. Couch is director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division Information on the Georgia Statewide Water Plan and regional planning can be found at www.georgiawaterplanning.org.
Source

New water plan floats no one's boat

Published June 17, 2008
“I hold the Army Corps in great respect, but they're just in a no-win situation,” said Sherk, who used to represent the city of LaGrange on water issues and now teaches water law and policy at the Colorado School of Mines.

Asked about the criticism, Army Corps spokeswoman Lisa Coghlan said the plan was designed to address several factors, including “incorporating a drought contingency plan that allows for additional storage conservation and system recovery during periods of extreme drought” while “still providing support for listed species and their critical habitat in the Apalachicola River.”

Lake Lanier sits at the top of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) river basin. Water collected at Lake Lanier is released at Buford Dam and flows downstream through metro Atlanta, by the cities of LaGrange and Columbus, into Florida and empties into the Apalachichola Bay in the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, the water passes through a number of Army Corps-administered dams and lakes, including West Point Lake, Walter F. George Lake and Lake Seminole.
Source

Green Cove Spring (Clay County, FL)

229 Walnut St
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
Cost: $1 for Children and $2 for Adults as of 6/13/2008
Hours: Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat 11-6; Tues and Sun 1-6; Wed Closed
Contact: Laura Burk, YMCA, at 904-272-4304.

Description:
Water from the spring fills the swimming pool, it then flows out the other side of the pool, and continues via a small stream to the St. John's River. The Green Cove Springs City Pool is run by the YMCA, but membership to the YMCA is not required.

Pictures taken 6/13/2008

More Photos


More Info:
Green Coves Website
Waymark - Green Cove Springs City Pool - Green Cove Springs, FL

Florida DEP continues restoration of rivers, lakes, estuaries

Published 6/16/2008
Florida has marked another milestone in its comprehensive strategy to address waterbody restorations around the state. Beginning its second five-year rotation to study the waters in the state, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Michael W. Sole has signed an order identifying waterbodies for water quality improvement goals. The waters identified for restoration are in the St. Marks/Ochlockonee River Basins, the Suwannee/Santa Fe River Basins, the Ocklawaha River Basin, Tampa Bay, Lake Okeechobee and its Northeast Tributaries, and the Everglades West Coast Basin which are collectively known as ‘Group 1’
Source

Special Series: Apalachicola Water Wars

By Margie Menzel. Originally aired on: 88.9 WFSU-FM & 89.1 WFSW-FM

The struggle for water among Florida, Georgia and Alabama threatens the Apalachicola River and Bay - not just a few endangered species, as some have charged, but the health of an ecosystem, an economy, and a heritage passed down over centuries. Margie Menzel prepared this four-part series.
Source

Big algae bloom on the Caloosahatchee River

Published Jun 13, 2008
(Not a spring-fed river that I am aware of but I think this is still important information)

If you're planning on boating this weekend, it might be a good idea to avoid the Caloosahatchee river, above the Franklin locks in East Lee County.

The big algae bloom is showing no signs of going away, and scientists are warning don’t go in that water.
Source

Rules for the Yard: Putnma Town Sets Limits

Published 6/13/2008
Despite its constant promotion of regulations that restrict lawn and landscape irrigation, the St. Johns River Water Management District has found only one taker in Putnam County.

Welaka Mayor Charles Wilson says he thinks local residents have no comprehension of water scarcity when they live next to such an imposing water source as the St. Johns River.
Source

Scientists Monitor Algae Bloom In St. Johns

Published June 13, 2008
Environmental scientists are monitoring algae blooms from Lake Harney in east-central Florida to Doctors Lake in Clay County, the St. Johns River Water Management District announced on Friday.

The staff regularly monitors algal growth in the river and routinely collect water and algae samples, but step up the testing for toxins when a bloom is observed.

Water District spokeswoman Teresa Monson said the bloom is not unusual for summer and early fall, when the St. Johns River typically exhibits its largest blooms. The algal growth results from excess nutrients -- nitrogen and phosphorus -- from fertilizer, wastewater and stormwater runoff, along with lots of sunlight and warm temperatures
Source

Florida counties seeking water flow action

Published June 13, 2008
Some counties along the Apalachicola River are asking Gov. Charlie Crist to take legal action to block a reduction in water flow from Georgia and Alabama.

Gulf County this week was preparing to ask Crist to petition the federal courts to block the request, County Attorney Tim McFarland said. Franklin County made a similar request to Crist last Friday, saying the local seafood industry would be
devastated by a lack of fresh water.
Source

Using our water once more:Treated wastewater

Published 6/11/2008
Palatka’s use of treated wastewater is growing.

On Monday, work crews began extending a network of pipes to irrigate local cemeteries and sports facilities from Palatka Municipal Golf Course to St. Johns River Community College.

When the expansion is complete, about 1.5 million gallons of treated water will be used for irrigation per day, rather than discharged into the St. Johns River.
Source

Plan your weekend

Published June 12, 2008
If you forgot to shop, you can instead take Dad out for the day. On Sunday, dads get in free to Weeki Wachee Springs with the purchase of a child's ticket.
Source

Can't blame corps for all water woes

Published 06/11/08 (Opinion)
Lanier's low water levels, as though the agency's operation of its dams on the Chattahoochee-Apalachicola river system is the major impediment to unlimited water availability for all current and future Atlantans ("Low-level operating plan," @issue, June 6).

Never mind the millions of gallons of water that are removed from the lake and river and never returned as a result of more new development in metro Atlanta and electric production. Forget the hundreds of millions of gallons wasted through water-system inefficiencies, outdated plumbing, poorly designed rate structures, wasted outdoor watering and national-record overreliance on septic systems in suburban counties.
Source

Excerpts from editorials in Florida newspapers

Published June 10, 2008
The findings of a recent Florida Geological Survey analysis of Fanning Springs are alarming and put that out-of-the-way landmark front and center of the springs discussion. Again, the springs is far from any major urban center, yet hydrologists for the FGS report the spring has one of the highest nitrate levels of any of Florida's more than 300 springs.

But that is not the worst of it. FSG geologist Tom Greenhalgh said at a recent meeting of the Fanning Springs/Manatee Springs Basin Working Group that the spring, one of Florida's 33 first-magnitude springs, no longer emits enough water to be categorized a first-magnitude spring. A first-magnitude spring pumps out at least 60 million gallons of water per day, or 100 cubic feet per second. Fanning Springs has been averaging about 71 cubic feet per second for at least a decade.
Source

Flagler County to get $2M more for desalination plant

Published June 10, 2008
Flagler County is $2 million closer to building a seawater desalination facility after the St. Johns River Water Management District's governing board approved a cost-share funding and administrative services plan.

This is in addition to the $5 million the district gave in May for the construction of the facility, which is expected to be completed by 2017.
Source

DEP Celebrates Florida's Rivers Month with Photo Contest

Published 06-10-2008
Governor Charlie Crist recently signed a proclamation honoring June as Florida Rivers Month, recognizing the more than 50,000 miles of rivers and streams throughout the state. Florida’s famed waterways include the 310-mile St. Johns River, one of the only rivers in North America flowing north, as well as two designated National Wild & Scenic Rivers, the Wekiva and Loxahatchee Rivers.

Color photos will be accepted through July 31, 2008 and should capture the environmental richness, unique landscape, flora and fauna, human involvement, recreational opportunities or simply the exceptional beauty of Florida’s rivers and surrounding landscapes. Photographs will be judged in six geographic categories with specific river basins within each region.
Source

Florida DEP - 2008 Florida Rivers Month Photo Contest