Deep Trouble: Getting to the Source of Threats to Springs

To understand how our springs are threatened, we have to look upstream into the aquifer and explore the springshed. Many of the problems affecting the springs occur many miles upstream in the spring recharge area.

The major issues impacting the health of the springs include population growth, urban sprawl, growing demand for groundwater and introduction of fertilizers, pesticides and other pollutants to the springsheds.

Threats to the quality and quantity of water in Florida's aquifer and springs can be classified into three different categories: inputs or the contaminants we put in; outputs or the amount of water we take out of the aquifer; and impacts or the physical damage we cause in and around the spring and downstream spring run.

Link below to learn more about the threats affecting our springs. Then, be sure to link to Good Neighbors and How You Can Help to understand how you can protect our springs.