U.S. Water News Online
SARASOTA, Fla. -- Low levels in the Peace River due to drought conditions are threatening drinking water supplies for tens of thousands of people in southwest Florida.
Officials said it's likely water levels will drop too low to be tapped in a week or two, forcing suppliers to use groundwater sources that also are strained.
The Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority, which supplies more than 250,000 customers in Charlotte, Sarasota and DeSoto counties, plans to drill an emergency well capable of producing 3 million to 4 million gallons daily.
Sarasota County, meanwhile, is going to wells at its Carlton Reserve and getting more water from neighboring Manatee County.
Water produced from those sources, though, may be substandard due to salts in the groundwater, said Mike Coates, the authority's water resources director.
The utility is not equipped to remove salts, which give water a metallic taste and can cause diarrhea.
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