ANALYSIS OF WATER FLOW & QUALITY

Fact: There will be no intrusion of saltwater into the groundwater in the surrounding community.

To ensure there was no chance of saltwater intrusion into the area’s drinking water supply, Tarmac drilled a test well on the western edge of their property—at the closest location to the Gulf of Mexico on the mine site. This well was drilled to a depth of 380 feet—much deeper than any planned excavation site on the property, and deeper than any local municipal wells. Even at these depths, the test well drew water, which contained 45 ppm (parts per million) of chloride—well within the drinking water standard of 250 ppm.


Fact: The mining operations will have no impact on water quality in nearby communities.

The groundwater at the mine site flows from east to west as it travels into the Gulf of Mexico. Although there is water flow from upstream aquifers into surrounding communities, this water does not cross any part of the King Road Mine boundary. This finding was confirmed after analyzing data from several wells drilled on the property.


Fact: Studies show there is little evidence of springs or conduit flow into the Gulf from the mine site.

Dr. Todd Kincaid spent a considerable amount of time on and near the mine site searching for any signs of groundwater discharge such as springs, seeps and sinkholes indicative of conduit flow.

His study revealed little evidence of such features on or west of the site, and that most of the regional groundwater flow into the area is discharging at Big Spring and Little Springs (which will not be impacted by mining operations).

Moreover, the study showed that most of the annual freshwater flow to Waccasassa and Withlacoochee Bays is surface water that flows out through the tidal creeks.