We have evaluated both surface water and ground water quality and quantity in countless sand, limestone, phosphate, peat and granite mines throughout Florida and the Southeast United States. Quantity issues are typically assessed with performance testing of wells, pits and lakes and through evaluation of water level data. Water quality data comes from direct well or surface water sampling may be obtained by outside agencies or, in this case, the consultant.

During public hearings for a proposed mine site in North Florida, concerns were voiced over the potential for sand mines to degrade local surface and ground waters. WES used a combination of 1) existing data for small lakes in the area that was developed by LakeWatch and 2) newly generated data that we collected from sand mine lakes in similar hydrologic settings.

The picture above shows sample collection activities in a reclaimed mine lake in the Green Swamp area of Central Florida. The sampling parameters matched the LakeWatch parameters for the lakes in the vicinity of the proposed mine - including Secchi depth, a measure of water clarity. The sampling data showed that the mine lakes had superior water quality, particularly the water clarity and the level of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus). The notion of sand and limestone mine lakes having excellent water quality was not new and was demonstrated by WES personnel decades earlier when they obtained the first Ground Water Monitoring Exemptions issued by the State for sand and limestone mining concerns.

Above: Simplified presentation graphic showing relationship of subsurface units for use at public hearing.