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Florida Science Centers Highlighted Science - 2009

USGS Science Used to Address Water Quality Impacts in Wakulla Springs Basin

Like many springs throughout the state, nitrate concentrations in Wakulla Springs have been increasing since the late 1970's and are currently above proposed regulatory levels that are anticipated to be adopted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. A recently completed cooperative study between the USGS and the City of Tallahassee showed that nitrate in the City's treated wastewater effluent applied at the Southeast Farm sprayfield is a component of the nitrate discharged at Wakulla Springs. In response to the findings, the City of Tallahassee is addressing water-quality issues in groundwater and springs in the region by building a new, state-of-the-art advanced wastewater treatment facility designed to reduce the impact of wastewater on the region's water resources. Historically, the nitrate level in the waste water applied at the sprayfield was about 12 mg/L. After all the improvements in the wastewater treatment facility are completed the nitrate level is targeted to be 3 mg/L, representing a 75-percent reduction of the nitrate load from the City. The wastewater facility project is funded through a partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Northwest Florida Water Management District and local stakeholders and the groundbreaking ceremony took place on May 20, 2009 at the T.P. Smith Water Reclamation Facility.

USGS scientists Brian Katz, Hal Davis, and Gary Mahon attended the groundbreaking where the USGS was recognized for the substantial research contributions that led to greater understanding of sources of nitrate and the benefits of improving the wastewater treatment facility.

Mayor John Marks, who was joined by representatives from state, local and regional agencies said, "this new facility represents our City's ongoing commitment to make our treatment system one of the cleanest in the state." Janet Llewellyn, Division Director of Water Resource Management at Florida Department of Environmental Protection said that the commitment to "Advanced Wastewater Treatment is an investment in the future health of our region's water" and added that the success of this project "affects everyone in our community."

Related articles:

Groundwater quality impacts from the land application of treated municipal wastewater in a large karstic spring basin: Chemical and microbiological indicators by, Brian G. Katz, Dale W. Griffin, J. Hal Davis, Science of the Total Environment, Vol 407, Issue 8, April 1, 2009 pages 2872-2886.

http://talgov.com/communications/newsdetail.cfm?id=1907