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➢ Groundwater Recharge Areas <br />Underlying Indian River County are two aquifers that provide county residents with all water for <br />domestic consumption. Those aquifers are recharged or filled by the percolation of rain and <br />surface water through soil layers into the underground reservoirs. Those areas which provide the <br />greatest potential for recharge are classified as "Prime Recharge Areas" and are shown on Figure <br />2.29. While excessive development of those areas can result in changes to natural drainage <br />patterns and reduce recharge potential, excessive use of septic tanks and hazardous materials in <br />those areas can increase the possibility of contamination of the aquifer. <br />For the county public water system, the public water supply source is the deep aquifer which, <br />because of its depth, is less likely to be subject to contamination from ground sources. Recharge <br />areas for that aquifer are located northwest of the county. <br />Within the county, those areas which contain community wells that draw large quantities of <br />water are especially subject to contamination or pollution. Generally, groundwater contamination <br />can result from excessive or improper use of septic systems and other wastewater treatment <br />facilities, the leakage of chemicals and fuels stored underground, seepage from landfills and <br />other waste storage areas, or surface spills of hazardous materials. For each of the community <br />wells or wellfields in the county, zones of influence have been calculated. Those zones vary in <br />size due to the amount or volume of flow, depth of the well and the porosity of the aquifer. <br />Within those zones, the county's policy should restrict uses that could contaminate community <br />wells. <br />Future Land Use Element 85 <br />