The Florida groundwater cleanup target level (GCTL) for ammonia may soon become obsolete. At landfills and other waste management facilities, ammonia is frequently detected in groundwater at levels in excess of the GCTL set by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). FDEP has generally required waste management facility operators to monitor and report groundwater ammonia concentrations. FDEP has also required property owners undertaking site rehabilitation to take corrective actions to address groundwater concentrations of ammonia in excess of the GCTL.

A new guidance issued by FDEP changes the way the agency will enforce the GCTL for ammonia in groundwater at waste management facilities. In a memorandum issued on December 3, 2012 by the Director of the Division of Waste Management, FDEP indicated that it will no longer require such facilities to monitor ammonia where ammonia is the only contaminant of concern and groundwater is not expected to discharge to surface waters.