The Economic Value of Florida’s Groundwater

Streaming Media

Session Type

Poster/Flash-talk Session

Start Date

19-8-2020 8:50 AM

Description

Phillip van Beynen1

1University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Rd Tampa, Florida 33620

Abstract

In the US, around 26% of all freshwater supply comes from groundwater. There are five aquifers in Florida, the Surficial, Intermediate, Floridan, Biscayne and finally the Sand and Gravel. Florida is a state that is heavily reliant on its groundwater for public supply and irrigation. In 2012, of the freshwater withdrawals, groundwater supplied 4,167 Mgal/d or 65 percent of all withdrawals. In 2015, public supply and irrigation accounted for 83% of all groundwater withdrawals. The largest contributors of this freshwater are two karst aquifers, the Floridan and the Biscayne. From an economic standpoint, estimating the value of groundwater to Florida’s economy is no easy matter. Lack of data from certain industries such as the bottled water companies allows for only conservative estimates. Another problem is when an industry only relies partially on groundwater for production such as for some agricultural crops. The tourist industry is very significant in the state yet no data is available on the large theme parks use of groundwater. However, accounting for these limitations, some estimation is still possible, though the number will under-estimate the actual value of Florida’s groundwater. At the very least, Florida’s groundwater contributes approximately $58 billion to Florida’s economy. Unfortunately, with a growing population, demands on Florida’s aquifers will continue to grow leading to possible over-exploitation and its associate environmental problems of pollution, salt water intrusion and the increase in sinkhole development.

Keywords karst aquifer, Florida, groundwater

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This presentation was part of the Poster/Flash-talk Session.

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Aug 19th, 8:50 AM

The Economic Value of Florida’s Groundwater

Phillip van Beynen1

1University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Rd Tampa, Florida 33620

Abstract

In the US, around 26% of all freshwater supply comes from groundwater. There are five aquifers in Florida, the Surficial, Intermediate, Floridan, Biscayne and finally the Sand and Gravel. Florida is a state that is heavily reliant on its groundwater for public supply and irrigation. In 2012, of the freshwater withdrawals, groundwater supplied 4,167 Mgal/d or 65 percent of all withdrawals. In 2015, public supply and irrigation accounted for 83% of all groundwater withdrawals. The largest contributors of this freshwater are two karst aquifers, the Floridan and the Biscayne. From an economic standpoint, estimating the value of groundwater to Florida’s economy is no easy matter. Lack of data from certain industries such as the bottled water companies allows for only conservative estimates. Another problem is when an industry only relies partially on groundwater for production such as for some agricultural crops. The tourist industry is very significant in the state yet no data is available on the large theme parks use of groundwater. However, accounting for these limitations, some estimation is still possible, though the number will under-estimate the actual value of Florida’s groundwater. At the very least, Florida’s groundwater contributes approximately $58 billion to Florida’s economy. Unfortunately, with a growing population, demands on Florida’s aquifers will continue to grow leading to possible over-exploitation and its associate environmental problems of pollution, salt water intrusion and the increase in sinkhole development.

Keywords karst aquifer, Florida, groundwater