Floridan aquifer shows recovery after International Paper ceases operations – thecurrentga.org

Report on Floridan Aquifer Recovery and Sustainable Water Management

Executive Summary

This report details the observed recovery of the Floridan aquifer following the cessation of industrial operations at an International Paper mill in Savannah. The data indicates a significant positive impact on local water resources, aligning with key objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning water management, responsible production, and sustainable communities.

• A measurable rise in the aquifer level was recorded shortly after the shutdown of a major industrial water user.
• The event provides a case study on the direct impact of industrial water withdrawal on regional hydrogeology.
• The findings underscore the importance of sustainable water management practices for achieving SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
• The recovery contributes to the long-term environmental health and resilience of coastal communities, a core tenet of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Analysis of Aquifer Level Fluctuation

Data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) provides empirical evidence of the aquifer’s response to reduced industrial demand.

• Observation: The water level in the Floridan aquifer rose by approximately 2 feet.
• Correlation: The increase began around September 18, coinciding with the shutdown of the International Paper facility announced in August.
• Data Source: Measurements were recorded at a USGS monitoring well located on Hutchinson Island, across the Savannah River from the former mill.
• Historical Context: According to Professor Jim Reichard of Georgia Southern University, records from the same well indicate a steady, gradual rise in aquifer pressure over the last 25 years, with this recent event representing a significant short-term increase.

Industrial Water Withdrawal and its Contribution to Water Stress

The scale of industrial water consumption in the region has placed significant stress on the aquifer, impacting both water pressure and quality. This directly relates to the challenge of ensuring sustainable withdrawal patterns as outlined in SDG 6.

1. International Paper (Savannah): Permitted to withdraw 12.2 million gallons per day (MGD).
2. International Paper (Liberty County): A second closed facility was permitted for 11.6 MGD.
3. Hyundai Plant (Ellabell): For comparison, this new facility is projected to use approximately 4 MGD.

The extensive pumping has historically contributed to a “cone of depression”—an area of reduced water pressure—and has been linked to saltwater intrusion in wells on Hilton Head Island, compromising freshwater resources and threatening coastal ecosystems, a concern addressed by SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The aquifer’s recovery is a positive development for several interconnected SDGs.

• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): The rebound directly supports Target 6.4, which aims to ensure sustainable freshwater withdrawals. By alleviating pressure on the aquifer, the shutdown contributes to the protection and restoration of a critical water-related ecosystem, as called for in Target 6.6.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): This event illustrates the direct environmental consequences of industrial production patterns. The aquifer’s recovery following the cessation of operations highlights the critical need for sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (Target 12.2) in industrial processes.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Securing a stable and healthy water supply is fundamental to the long-term sustainability of coastal communities. This case demonstrates how managing industrial resource consumption is vital for building resilient communities and protecting shared natural assets.

Expert Assessment and Future Outlook

Hydrological experts have affirmed the significance of these findings while noting the need for continued monitoring.

• Wei Zeng of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division had previously predicted that a reduction in demand would result in a beneficial rebound for the aquifer’s “cone of depression.”
• Professor Reichard suggests that the most significant portion of the rise from this specific shutdown has likely already occurred, though the long-term trend will require further observation.
• A comprehensive regional assessment is pending, as recent data from monitoring wells near the second closed International Paper facility in Liberty County has not yet been made available by the USGS. This future data will be critical for understanding the full impact on the Upper Floridan Aquifer.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The core of the article revolves around the management and health of the Floridan aquifer, a primary source of freshwater. It discusses issues of groundwater withdrawal, water levels, water pressure (“cone of depression”), and the impact of industrial use on this vital water resource.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The article directly links industrial activity to environmental impact. It focuses on the significant water consumption of the International Paper mill and contrasts it with the needs of the new Hyundai plant. This highlights the connection between industrial processes and their demand on natural resources like water.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  This goal is addressed through the discussion of large-scale water extraction for industrial production. The article details the International Paper mill’s permit to withdraw “12.2 million gallons a day of water,” which exemplifies a pattern of natural resource consumption that has significant environmental consequences, such as depleting the aquifer.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article implicitly connects to this goal by describing how water management in one area (Savannah) affects surrounding communities. The over-pumping in Savannah has impacted wells on Hilton Head Island, “making them salty,” which directly threatens the sustainability and water security of that community.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 6.4: Substantially increase water-use efficiency and ensure sustainable withdrawals

  This target is central to the article. The discussion of the paper mill’s massive water withdrawal (12.2 million gallons a day) and the subsequent aquifer rebound after its shutdown directly relates to the sustainability of freshwater withdrawals. The “cone of depression” is described as a situation where “aquifer water has been pumped out faster that it’s naturally replenished,” which is the opposite of a sustainable withdrawal.

• Target 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management

  The article mentions the involvement of “local water planning councils” and “state-required withdrawal restrictions to protect the aquifer.” These are clear examples of governance structures and policies aimed at managing water resources in an integrated manner, which is the essence of this target.

• Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources

  The entire article serves as a case study for this target. It examines the management of the Floridan aquifer, a critical natural resource. The shutdown of the mill and the resulting environmental recovery (rising aquifer levels) demonstrate the direct impact of industrial consumption patterns on the long-term sustainability of this resource.

• Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable

  While the article discusses a shutdown rather than a retrofit, it highlights the unsustainable nature of the existing industrial process. The paper mill’s high water usage is a clear example of an industrial practice with a significant environmental footprint. The comparison with the Hyundai plant’s lower projected water use (4 million gallons a day) points toward the importance of more resource-efficient industrial development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 6.4 (Level of water stress):

  The article provides direct and indirect measures of water stress. The “cone of depression” is a qualitative indicator of severe water stress. The primary quantitative indicator is the water level in the aquifer, measured by the USGS in “feet below land surface.” The data showing the water level “shot up about 2 feet” after the mill’s shutdown is a direct measurement of a reduction in water stress.

• Indicator for Target 12.2 (Domestic material consumption):

  While not a formal UN indicator, the article provides a key metric that functions as an indicator for water resource consumption: the volume of permitted water withdrawal. The figures “12.2 million gallons a day” for one International Paper mill and “11.6 million gallons of water a day” for a second site are specific indicators of the scale of natural resource extraction for industrial purposes.

• Indicator for Monitoring and Management:

  The article explicitly mentions the use of “USGS monitoring wells” on Hutchinson Island and in Liberty County. The data from these wells, such as the graph showing aquifer levels since 2000, serves as a crucial indicator for tracking the health of the aquifer and the effectiveness of water management policies over time.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thecurrentga.org