Water Reuse/Recharge Initiatives in Orange County, Florida

Abstract

The Floridan Aquifer is the principal source of water supply in Orange County, Florida. It provides 100% of potable water and a substantial portion of water used for irrigation, industrial and recreational activities. While the capacity of the Floridan Aquifer is sufficient to handle the current demand, the supply is not indefinite to meet the future need and growth occurring in Orange County. In 1995, the actual use for public water supply was estimated to be 176.1 MGD and this use is projected to increase to 330.5 MGD in 2020. Conservation measures to curtail the use of water are being pursued by Orange County, the St. Johns River Water Management District and the South Florida Water Management District. Alternative plans to augment the existing water supply are in various planning stages. Replenishment of the underground aquifer by artificial means is also actively undertaken by these agencies. Orange County is emerging to be the leader in the State of Florida in the reuse of and artificial recharge of Floridan Aquifer by reclaimed water and surface water through an integrated management of surface and ground water. This paper describes the initiatives undertaken by Orange County in the reuse and aquifer recharge.