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Biologists Seek Public's Help for Horseshoe Crab Research Birding Brevard: More Tips on Hard-to-Identify Birds |
Aquifer Controversy in Rockledge Heats UpBy Mark Jacobs. President, Save Our AquiferWorking towards a healthy lagoon means not only stopping stormwater pollution and direct sewage discharge, but also preventing ground water pollution. Faulty septic tanks are one source, but on a much larger scale are the Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) wells constructed by the City of Rockledge and Port Canaveral. They intend to inject millions of gallons of sewage water directly into the aquifer near the lagoon. The plan is to pump water back out for lawn irrigation, but much of the injected water will find its way through the porous limestone and along cracks and fissures. It will spread out into the aquifers and some will inevitably end up in the lagoon. Pollution found in this partially treated sewage water, such as endocrine disrupters, hormones, and other pharmaceuticals, can have huge effects on aquatic ecosystems even in minute amounts. Many small freshwater springs flow into the lagoon that are visible in places along the mainland shoreline. Others rise unnoticed beneath the surface and a seepage of groundwater permeates through the porous limestone throughout the lagoon providing an input of fresh clean water. Freshwater is scarce for wildlife in the salty lagoon. These small springs, some no more than a trickle, provide an important source of freshwater for wildlife. Ducks can be seen drinking from springs flowing from the base of coquina stone in small streams which meander over the beach and into the lagoon in Rockledge. Manatees also find freshwater for drinking in the lagoon. Groundwater discharges into the Indian River Lagoon play an important role in the lagoon ecosystem. It is important to protect the lagoon from short-sighted projects by people that value lawns more than the lagoon and a clean aquifer. To learn more and join us in protecting the aquifer visit http://www.SaveOurAquifer.org |