Environmental Assessment: Construct Wastewater Re-use Line at Hurlburt Field.

摘要

Water resources in the vicinity of Hurlburt Field are in high demand and in dwindling supply. The Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD) has designated this area as a Water Resource Caution Area, and has called for continuing efforts to conserve water resources. The Floridan Aquifer is confined by the Pensacola Clay formation and produces high yields of high quality water that typically requires only chlorination to meet drinking water standards. It is this water that is of primary concern to the populace who lives and works in southern Okaloosa County. According to the NWFWMD, since the 1930s the potentiometric surface of the Floridan aquifer has dropped over 160 feet due to overuse. This is indicative of withdrawing water at a higher rate than it is being recharged. If this trend is not slowed or reversed, there is substantial risk of saltwater intrusion into this pristine aquifer. By implementing the proposed reuse project, Hurlburt Field is seeking to help slow overuse of the Floridan Aquifer by avoiding a "once through" cycle of this valuable, irreplaceable resource. Water that is currently withdrawn from the Floridan Aquifer is used, treated and discharged into a wetland area northeast of Hurlburt Field. The proposed action will provide an alternate supply of useable water, reducing demand on the FloridanAquifer.