Northeast Florida water shortage threatens springs, aquifer recovery

Northeast Florida has been dealing with a water shortage since last fall, and despite recent September rain, officials say the region still has a long way to go before its groundwater supply recovers.Duval and St. Johns counties are both more than 15 inches below their 12-month average rainfall totals — a deficit that is taking a toll on the region’s water supply, including the Floridan Aquifer, which stretches from Georgia and South Carolina through Central and West Florida.The shortage is already showing visible effects. Clay Coarsey, Director of Water Supply and Assessment for the St. Johns River Water Management District, said some springs are disappearing.“A number of springs to the west of Duval County over in Alachua County have started drying up due to the low rainfall conditions,” Coarsey said.Coarsey tracks water shortages for the district. He said the rain North Florida received in September, while helpful, has not been enough to offset nearly a year’s worth of below-average