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1 <br />1 <br />' actually generated by effluent amounts to only a very small amount of <br />equivalent rainfall over the aquifer recharge zone, so the potential for <br />' recharge is quite minimal. In addition, when considering the risk involved <br />in aiding the recharge of this aquifer with septic tank effluent, the <br />possibility of further contaminating one of the area's immediate water <br />supply sources, the trade-off value contemplated cannot be justified. <br />' After the flood of April 1979, the Broward County Health Department noted <br />an increase in bacterial contamination of wells of Plantation Acres, <br />' Florida. This area still relied upon individual private wells from 60 to <br />75 feet deep for its water supply, even though its method of wastewater <br />disposal was by septic tank. In the week following the flood, 14 of the 67 <br />' wells tested (21 percent) were found to be unsatisfactory with regard to <br />bacterial sampling. For the five-week period following the flood, 30 of <br />' 181 tests (17 percent) were unsatisfactory. <br />' <br />A recent study in Tacoma, Washington, evaluated 98 well records and 386 <br />water samples over a 30 -year period. Increases in nitrates, chloride, and <br />' <br />specific conductance were observed and attributed to effluent from septic <br />tank drainfields. In streams, the MPN coliform counts increased drama- <br />tically: 64/100 ml in 1962; 280/100 ml in 1969; and 1200/100 ml in 1973. <br />In lakes, the percent exceeding the standard of 240/100 ml rose from 19 <br />' <br />percent in 1970 to 46 percent in 1972. An analysis of the shallow aquifer <br />indicated <br />substantial bacterial and chemical contamination with median <br />values of 8 MPN/100 ml at a 31 -foot depth. Deeper wells contained 6 MPN at <br />' <br />228 feet and 4 MPN at 503 feet. The combination of high septic tank <br />density and high pumpage in localized areas resulted in groundwater <br />' <br />contamination. <br />' 3.4.4 WATER QUALITY DATA IN THE STUDY AREA <br />According to Mr. G. R. Schuessler R. S. of the Florida Department of Health <br />' and Rehabilitative Services, there have been 55 to 60 complaints regarding <br />IRC.VB4 <br />6/4/87 <br />