Water Management District approves rule to encourage shallow wells and protect aquifer

The Northwest Florida Water Management Governing Board this week approved a rule change to encourage people in Franklin and Gulf Counties to use shallow wells as a way to preserve water in the Floridan Aquifer for human consumption. Shallow wells are generally less than 30 feet deep. Currently if a homeowner wants to drill a shallow well he is required to go to the Northwest Florida Water Management District to get an individual water use permit and a well construction permit. Under the new rule that takes effect on January the 4th the individual water use permit will no longer be required though the well construction permit still will be. That’s to insure that when wells are dug they are placed properly; the water management district said that currently there are a number of wells in the two counties that were improperly placed too close to septic tanks. The Northwest Florida Water Management District said the rule change will hopefully encourage people to drill shallow wells for outdoor activities like watering lawns and washing cars and thereby protect water in the aquifer for household uses like drinking and cooking.

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