Hydrogeology of the Verna well-field area and management alternatives for improving yield and quality of water, Sarasota County, Florida

About 8 million gallons of water are pumped daily from the 3-square-mile Verna well field to supply the city of Sarasota. Pumping has resulted in water-level declines and changes in water quality. Drawdowns of at least 30 feet have occurred in the producing zone at the well-field boundaries. Sulfate concentrations in the pumped water have increased from about 200 milligrams per liter in 1966 to about 400 milligrams per liter in 1982 in the western part of the well field. In the eastern part, sulfate concentrations have increased from about 300 to 350 milligrams per liter during this period. The increases roughly coincide with increases in pumping rates. (USGS)