An aquifer is a body of rock or sediment that is sufficiently permeable to yield important quantities of groundwater from springs or wells. Most potable water in Florida is located within 50-200 meters of the surface. Beneath this supply of potable water, rock pores are filled with salt water.
The water supply in the aquifers of the state comes from rain that falls directly on the state or on adjacent states within a short distance of the state line. Rainwater that moves slowly downward past the soil zone and into the uppermost aquifer is said to recharge that aquifer. If water withdrawn through wells and springs exceeds the recharge, the aquifer will be depleted.
In artesian aquifers water rises above the top of the aquifer. This rise shows that the aquifer is being recharged in some adjacent, higher area and that the water is under pressure as a result. Areas of recharge are shown on the map. In areas where artesian aquifers discharge to the surface, there is no recharge.
Along the coast where wells pump large quantities of water, saltwaterÊintrusion may occur. Groundwater may acquire undesirable properties in other ways: where soluble minerals are present in the rocks, they may dissolve into the groundwater.
