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50 Water Quality Assessment Report: Springs Coast indicate that 95 tons of nitrate per year are discharged from Weeki Wachee Springs. Also, the dramatic increase in nitrate concentrations in the spring since the early 1970s is most likely due to the increased human population in and near Spring Hill. Recent studies show that the nitrate in the Floridan aquifer system originates from inorganic fertilizers applied to turf acreage near the four major spring complexes. However, the basin’s growing population will likely increase the signifi cance of organic sources of nitrogen, such as septic systems and wastewater treatment plants. Major Water Quality Trends Nitrate Contamination in Spring Discharges Nitrate concentrations have been increasing in a number of major spring groups in the SWFWMD, including Homosassa, Chassahowitzka, and Weeki Wachee Springs. The most dramatic increase in nitrate occurs in the Weeki Wachee main spring, where concentrations have increased from less than 0.02 milligrams per liter (mg/L) in 1946 to 0.88 mg/L in 2004. Nitrate concentrations in ground water in undeveloped areas of Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco Counties were compared with nitrate concentrations in ground water discharging from the springs. The spring water concentrations exceeded natural background ground water concentrations. Because the enrichment of nitrate to the level occurring in the spring water does not result from natural processes, human-induced contamination of the ground water must be occurring somewhere within the recharge area of the springs. Although the nitrate concentrations (0.18 to 0.88 mg/L) in the coastal springs of Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco Counties are considerably lower than those of springs in the surrounding basins, such as Lithia, Buckhorn, and Rainbow Springs, they are still of great concern. Even at these low concentrations, water discharging at the rate of approximately 900 cfs from the main springs and smaller, surrounding springs contains an annual nitrate load of over 360 tons. The coastal rivers rapidly deliver this nitrate to the estuaries along the Gulf Coast. As nitrate concentrations continue to rise, it is likely that algae blooms will increase in frequency and duration, and the vegetative composition of these estuarine aquatic systems will be altered. The water discharging from the springs has probably not been in the aquifer for more than a few decades at most. Nitrogen isotopic data suggest that the dominant source of nitrate currently discharging from the springs is inorganic. Residential and golf course turf and landscape fertilizers are the likely sources. Organic sources, although regionally less signifi - cant, may still elevate nitrate concentrations to high levels on a local scale. Organic sources include naturally occurring organic decay; sewage effl uent disposal; the land disposal of sewage sludge; effl uent from septic tanks; the land disposal of septage sludge; and poultry, dairy, and cattle operations.
Watershed Management Activities and Processes Over the years, management plans and activities in the basin have been implemented to eliminate wastewater discharges; reduce the discharges of polluted stormwater from urban and agricultural areas; and protect, preserve, and restore special areas. The following section describes historical, current, and ongoing activities and processes to address water quality problems. Much of the progress in the Springs Coast Basin in developing water quality restoration plans and implementing watershed and water quality improvements is attributable to coordinated local, state, and regional efforts. In particular, local organizations and initiatives have provided leadership in waterbody restoration and preservation efforts. Many plans share common goals, and their implementation is based on various groups playing critical roles in planning, funding, managing, and executing projects. The Department continues to coordinate its efforts with these entities to obtain data, improve monitoring activities, and exchange information through periodic meetings. A number of major restoration initiatives, if continued, will have signifi cant positive effects on the basin’s water quality. Crystal River/Kings Bay Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan As discussed earlier, the original Crystal River/Kings Bay SWIM Plan was prepared and approved in 1989, and the plan was updated in 2000. Many of the projects identifi ed in the original SWIM plan were for studies and data collection efforts—diagnostic tools for resource managers— designed to provide an insight into the intricacies of the system. An emphasis was placed on the development of a comprehensive understanding of the water chemistry of Kings Bay and Crystal River. The results of this diagnostic work provided the necessary technical information to develop the management strategies for the 2000 SWIM plan update. Ongoing work on fi ve coastal rivers (including Crystal River) and their nutrient assimilative capacity may recommend expanding management actions farther down the rivers and perhaps to the nearshore gulf systems. The Crystal River/Kings Bay SWIM Plan has established the following goals: • Achieve and maintain water clarity that will provide an annual average horizontal Secchi depth reading of 45 feet, • Stabilize or remove the sediment from areas that have been demonstrated to contribute to reduced water clarity as a result of sediment resuspension, • Revegetate denuded areas with desirable submerged aquatic vegetation, and • Restore vital aquatic habitat. Water Quality Assessment Report: Springs Coast 51
Page 1: FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
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Pollutants Causing Impairments Of t
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