Ground-water resources of Okeechobee County, Florida

Rapid population growth in Okeechobee County, Florida will increase future demand for potable water. Much of the ground water within the county is vulnerable to saltwater upconing or recharge water of poor-quality from the land surface. The surficial aquifer system within the county is a major source of domestic and public water supply. This system consists of sand, silt, and shell and has a maximum thickness of about 250 feet. Water in the surficial aquifer system is generally potable except in areas where brackish water has intruded from wells tapping the Floridan aquifer system. The Floridan aquifer system is a sequence of limestone and dolomite that is about 2,500 feet thick. Water in the Floridan aquifer system ranges from marginally potable to brackish. Use of this aquifer system for public water supply is limited because the potable water is not located near population centers. The Floridan aquifer system is used extensively for agricultural irrigation.