Tybee Island: Small # of Peeps With A Large Sewage Savvy

Unlike Los Osos, Tybee island, permanent population 3,067 (2012 census) has had a sewer, since at least 1972. For 42 years the groundwater has not had to deal with the problem that Los Osos has, nitrate contamination from septic tanks, which has caused over-pumping of Los Osos' lower aquifer because the upper aquifer has been too contaminated to drink since the 1970s. Our upper aquifer is now overfull from septic tank discharge and the excess water leaches into the bay.

So, where does Tybee Island's water supply come from?

"Although Tybee Island currently has a good supply of fresh groundwater, there is a potential for saltwater to enter the Upper Floridan aquifer, which is the principal source of fresh water in coastal Georgia..."

http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=3120#.U6Xf5ChOsy4

Like Los Osos' water supply, Tybee Island's water comes from below the town. However, due to a sewer system, nitrate contamination from septic tanks is not a problem. Maybe we would not have a water supply problem either if we hadn't been so careless with our sewage.

More on Tybee's water from USGS:

"The U.S. Geological Survey designed and installed the innovative system that uses satellite telemetry to monitor groundwater levels and salinity daily. Tybee Island is the most seaward municipality in the Savannah area and is vulnerable to groundwater contamination from seawater.  This new system will serve as an early warning indicator of saltwater encroachment toward public supply wells."

“'This state-of-the-art monitoring system is extremely important because it provides an early warning to protect our supply wells," said Tybee Island Mayor Jason Buelterman. "With this information, we can effectively plan a response to possible contamination problems,' he added."

"These real-time-monitoring wells are part of a larger network of wells that the USGS annually samples for chloride concentration to determine relative movement of saltwater in the Upper Floridan aquifer in the Savannah, Georgia area. The wells are part of a statewide groundwater level monitoring network funded by the USGS and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. The City of Tybee Island provided funding to upgrade the wells to enable real time monitoring of groundwater levels and salinity."

Pretty cool Georgia!

In our case, our water supply will be directly tied to the reuse of our treated wastewater. It is hopeful that we will pay closer attention to the saltwater intrusion problem that we have now once the Basin Plan kicks in, and that in 30 or so years, when the water we will be returning to the lower aquifer starts to halt the intrusion (starting in 2016), we will be thankful that we got a sewer when we did. 

Better late than later..............