From Palm Beach Post and other sources

   TAn EPA study addressing the dumping of treated sewage into the ocean, creeks and lakes indicates that no method is without risk of contamination to our nation's water. Nitrogen, ammonia, pathogens, and bacteria have been found in both our drinking supply and coastal ocean water. The EPA reports that in Palm Beach Gardens, traces of ammonia were detected in fresh water that is 2,000 feet deep in the Aquifer. South Florida utility companies pump 500 million gallons of treated sewage underground daily. The EPA proposes that every sewage plant kill the bacteria and toxins by treating the sewage before injecting or providing that the waste is filtered by the earth as the water moves to the surface through rock, sand and clay. The feasibility of monitoring massive quantities of waste at such great depths is a concern to both citizens and the EPA. Peter Barile of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, discovered high nitrogen levels associated with sewage in tests conducted on ocean water between Port Canaveral and Sebastian Inlet. His research suggests that groundwater seeping from the aquifer below the ocean as well as surface discharges contributes to nitrogen fed algae blooms. Indian River County's Director of Health, Jean Kline said, "We need to look at the signs and see if this is a risk to public health. If there is a volume of nitrogen in the water, that has implications on how we should handle stormwater runoff and sewage."