THE ARTESIAN WATER SUPPLY OF EASTERN FLORIDA.
Constituents. Parts per million.
Silica (SiO2) ............................................ 12.
Chlorine (Cl) ............................................ 642.
Sulphates (S04) .....................................178.
Phosphates (P04) ........................................ 0.
Carbonates (C03) ........................................ 0.
Bicarbonates (HCO3)................................. 149.
Sodium and Potassium (Na & K) .......................... 309.
M agnesium (M g) ........................................ 63.
Calcium (Ca) ............................................ 132.
Iron and Alumina (Fe & Al)............................... 3.
Loss on ignition .......................................... 370.
Total dissolved solids ...................................... 19710.

189

At Tropic, Mrs. John W. Merrill has two artesian wells, two and three inches respectively. These wells were drilled about 1885. The depth was not learned. The gauge on the two inch well, March 12, 191o indicated a pressure of I6y/2 pounds, or a head oi 38.1 feet above the surface or about 48 feet above the water level in Indian River. The wells are used for general purposes and give an excellent flow of sulphur water.
From the records obtained it appears that the pressure of the wells on the island increases in passing from north to south. At Lotus the pressure was 16 pounds; at Tropic I62 pounds and at Melbourne Beach 172 pounds. No measurements of the pressure of the wells north of Lotus were obtained.
MICCO.
The wells at Micco have for the most part been drilled a number of years and for this reason no satisfactory records could be obtained. The principal use of the water is for irrigating purposes. One well drilled in 19o8 for Peter Bertleson by J. L. Mobley was never completed. The well is 3 inches in diameter and is cased i8o feet. At a depth of 300 feet the drill was broken off and was never recovered. A flow coming just over the top of the casing was obtained at this depth.
ROCKLEDGE.
The Rockledge wells vary in depth* from 15o to 480 feet. These well are the principal source of domestic water supply, as well as being used for irrigating purposes. In a few instances the artesian wells are used for power purposes, such as for generating electricity by means of a water turbine. A ten-inch well drilled in 1893 and now owned by Mr. G. M. Houston, about one and one-half