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Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element • Surficial Aquifer The Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge and the Ten Mile Ridge are the primary recharge areas of the surficial aquifer. These areas, therefore, warrant protection to preserve permeability and to guard against potential hazardous pollutant discharges into the surficial aquifer. Another important recharge area for the surficial aquifer is the inter -ridge area between the Ten Mile Ridge and the Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge. Within the inter -ridge area, freshwater wetlands contribute to the cleansing of surface water that replenishes groundwater supplies. Preservation of wetlands in that area therefore benefits the water quality of the surficial aquifer. Historically, water levels above sea level have prevented lateral intrusion of saltwater in the coastal areas from infiltrating the potable water zone of the surficial aquifer. In the past, however, excessive pumping has lowered water levels enough to cause saltwater intrusion in some parts of the county, especially those areas proximate to the Indian River Lagoon. Overall, chloride concentrations from most wells that tap the surficial aquifer system in the Vero Beach well field have remained relatively unchanged since the early 1980s. Within Indian River County, the close proximity of the surficial aquifer to the ground surface increases the risk of groundwater contamination from potentially hazardous land uses. This became apparent when industrial contamination was discovered in six of the City of Vero Beach's public supply wells near the City of Vero Beach Airport in the late -1980s. Since the City has remediated those impacts, however, the spread of contamination has been controlled, and groundwater contamination levels have decreased substantially. To prevent contamination of the surficial aquifer, the County, in 1990, adopted a Wellfield and Aquifer Protection ordinance (LDR Chapter 931). LDR Chapter 931 established a special overlay district, the Surficial Aquifer Primary Recharge Overlay District (SAPROD), to protect surficial aquifer recharge areas proximate to the Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge. Land uses, such as junk yards and landfills, are prohibited from locating in the SAPROD. Also, hazardous wastes, excavation and stormwater ponds are regulated within the SAPROD. Furthermore, LDR Chapter 931 requires abandoned flow wells to be plugged in conjunction with site development, and requires minimum setbacks for developments from public supply wells. Going forward, the County's policy should be to continue to implement and enforce these regulations. Through its Excavation and Mining ordinance (LDR Chapter 934), the County prohibits dewatering within 1,000 feet of a platted subdivision not serviced by public water. Moreover, a maximum excavation depth of 25 feet above mean sea level (MSL) is required for mining operations located on the Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge. These regulations serve to protect surficial aquifer water supply. As such, the County's policy should be to continue to apply these requirements. Community Development Department Indian River County 98