How do they get fresh water in the Keys?
The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA) has well fields that pull water from Biscayne Aquifer and transport it to a nearby water treatment plant. The other method in which the keys acquire fresh drinking water is Reverse Osmosis Desalination (ROD), a process that simply converts saltwater to freshwater.
Can you drink the tap water in Key West?
But the Keys and Miami-Dade County have perfectly good drinking water fresh from the tap. People could be filling sterilized, resealable containers from their sink instead of buying bottled water by the case, said Julie Cheon, public information manager for the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority.
Where is the best water in the Florida Keys?
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Beach is located where Gulf waters meet the Atlantic, hidden from the Key West hubbub by the Truman Annex. The water is clear and the bottom is rocky, which makes this a good place to snorkel and see tropical fish and live coral. Because of those rocks it’s smart to bring water shoes.
Does Key West have hard water?
The water taken from the ground at our well field is classified as very hard due to the relatively high concentration of calcium in the water. Our water is pumped to the Keys through a 130-mile-long transmission main at a maximum pressure of 250 pounds per square inch.
Where does Key West sewage go?
Waste water is treated to advanced standards and discharged into a deep injection well located on the plant site. The treatment plant was constructed in 1989; designed and permitted to produce secondary quality effluent at a rate of 10 million gallons per day ( MGD ).
When did Key West get running water?
September 22, 1942
The first water to reach Key West through the new pipeline was on September 22, 1942. Later, we will read of public electricity on December 1, 1942. Then the improved and shortened Highway traffic began in 1944. The Florida City water was too hard and caused damage to pipes.
Is it safe in Key West?
Key West is in the 19th percentile for safety, meaning 81% of cities are safer and 19% of cities are more dangerous. This analysis applies to Key West’s proper boundaries only. See the table on nearby places below for nearby cities. The rate of crime in Key West is 45.93 per 1,000 residents during a standard year.
What is the source of the freshwater contained in the Biscayne Aquifer?
The Biscayne Aquifer is located just below ground level. Comprised of porous rock, rain water seeps in and fills tiny cracks and holes. This water is often referred to as groundwater or the water table, and provides most of the drinking water used by South Florida residents, visitors and businesses.
Where does the Florida Keys get their water?
To supplement this source the FKAA also utilizes the Floridan Aquifer, a deeper, more brackish aquifer. In emergency situations the FKAA has the capability of utilizes two seawater plants, one in Marathon and one in Stock Island, to supply additional water.
Where did the f.k.a.a find fresh water?
In summary, the F.E.C. made many attempts to find fresh water; however the major wells were at Indian Key, Key Vaca, Knight’s Key, Big Pine Key and Key West. All were relatively shallow, less than 700 feet, except the Key Vaca well mentioned above.
When did the first water reach Key West?
The original pipeline held about 10 million gallons of water along its path and water took about six days to reach Key West, depending on the rate of flow. The first water to reach Key West through the new pipeline was on September 22, 1942. Later, we will read of public electricity on December 1, 1942.
When did the Florida Keys get central sewer?
With this in mind, providing central sewer throughout the Keys was mandated by the State of Florida in 1999. The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority provides central wastewater services to seven regions of the Keys utilizing advanced technologies to maximize nutrient and pollutant removal from wastewater discharges.