The Suwannee River is one of only a few unaltered, natural river systems in the United States. However, its water quality is rapidly declining.

As we learn more about the complex systems in the Suwannee Basin, it is evident that groundwater pollution is contributing significantly to nitrate contamination in the river. To reduce dangerous nutrients and keep our rivers healthy, we must educate landowners about Florida Friendly Living. In addition, we must appeal to our decision makers in Tallahassee to regulate ground water pollution to ensure that springs are treated as ground water tributaries of our rivers.

Water Quantity in the Suwannee Basin

The abundance of water in the Suwannee Basin has created envy in other parts of the state. But, in the Basin itself, more people, more wells, larger wells, and ever more intensive agriculture have resulted in constantly increasing withdrawals. There is a finite amount of water readily available, and lowered water tables affect wells and natural systems alike

A major cause for concern is the envious look northward from the water-exhausted Tampa Bay area. In recent years, the cities there have reached out into adjoining counties to locate well fields, with some devastating effects on lakes, wells, and cypress wetlands. Since the 1960’s the Suwannee River has been on the list of possible new sources. We, of Save Our Suwannee, believe that the estuary requires fresh water and that artificially reduced flows will affect the natural systems and water wells from the top of the Suwannee to the Gulf.

Water Quality

There are several direct threats to the Suwannee River. Extensive logging has altered natural drainage patterns, phosphate mining above and below White Springs adds pollutants, a paper manufacturing mill on the Withlacoochee in Georgia directly discharges and a large poultry processing plant near Live Oak discharges into the Suwannee River. In addition to the large scale dairies and chicken farms in the basin, all of the towns in the basin either have numerous septic systems or a sewage treatment plant which also add to excess nutrients in the springs and river.

These nutrients artificially stimulate plant growth and diminish oxygen in the water. Compared to most industrial rivers the overall health of the Suwannee is good, but there are causes for concern. The following is currently being done to address these problems:

• Stringent restrictions on septic tanks by the SRWMD in the floodplain
• The construction of a sewage system for the town of Suwannee and White Springs
• Sewage system proposals for the City of Fanning Springs
• Water re-use programs for Live Oak, Lake City and at the Goldkist Chicken plant
• A public program to install improved animal waste management facilities at dairies and poultry operations
• Testing for precise fertilizer needs for various crops at University of Florida – IFAS

No one can deny that more people, more industry, more animals, more fertilizer, and more power boating will adversely affect the quality of the Suwannee. Active measures must be taken to deal with the destructive by-products of continued growth.