They drilled for more than 1,200 hundred feet to find a new fresh water supply for the City of Ocala.
But some experts told TV20, that pumping from the lower Floridian Aquifer could have a serious impact on the area's springs.
The St. Johns River Water Management District has given the city the go-ahead to pump fresh water from the Lower Floridian Aquifer, after limiting withdrawls from the Upper Floridian Aquifer to 17 million gallons of water a day. As the city continues to grow, alternative sources will be necessary, city officials said. Officials say the use of this water could save the city hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Some experts believe pumping from the Lower Aquifer could have a negative impact on the area's springs--- reducing the pressure and thus reducing the flow. Dr. Robert L. Knight, an expert in natural springs hydraulics told TV20, an example of an adverse effect of ground water use can be seen in Silver Springs, which now has a reducing water flow of 30%.
The city has until 2017 before it must go to an alternative source of fresh water.