The fountain of youthfulness that Ponce de León is said to havesearched for 500 long time agocould be a radioactive well beneath an abandonedFloridalot . At least that ’s what somePunta Gorda localsclaim . There , resident physician of the southwestern Florida city have been drinking the legendarywatersince the recent nineteenth century .
Back in 1926 , the people of Punta Gorda raised money to construct agreen - tiled fountainfor the aquifer that still stands today . Many people imprecate by the water system ’s mystical properties ; at the peak of its popularity in the mid-20th century the faucet ’s handle was used so often it reportedly needed to bereplaced every six month .
The hysteria surrounding the Punta Gorda fountain has since die out down , largely thanks to the Clean Water Act of 1972 , which necessitate that all public water sources be try out for a number of contaminants . The Punta Gorda natural spring ’s tryout cede somealarming effect .
The water system was shown to contain 9.2 picoCuries of radium-226 isotope per liter , far exceeding the EPA ’s recommended radium limit of 5 picoCuries per litre . Over the years , there has been some talk about plug up the well for skilful and or else supplying it with city water , but public opposite eventually won out .
Despite the well ’s concern — though not fateful — floor ofradiation , people are still localize faith in its life - extending properties . It turn out there could be somesciencesupporting this century - former superstition .
In addition to radium , the fountain ’s water was shew to contain gamey quantity of atomic number 12 , a beneficial mineral that most hoi polloi are deficient in . The pee also contains magnesium sulphate , a.k.a . Epsom Strategic Arms Limitation Talks , a chemical compound frequently added to bathtub piddle to ease stress and pain .
The natural spring may not be as popular as it was in its flush , but there are still plenty of believers who are not deter by the “ Use Water at Your Own Risk ” notice posted beside it . Some visitors show up with large jugs to fill up with water and take household with them . One man was known to use the water to wash his car , while another aged woman claimed to use it to brew her tea . When require about the piddle ’s health risks , Punta Gorda resident Donna Sanford told NBC2 , “ Well , I ’m not necessarily glowing . ”
The Punta Gorda water spigot is n’t the only Florida landmark that claims to be the original outflow of youth . St. Augustine , theoldest city in America , is home to theFountain of Youth Archaeological Park , which commemorate the spot where Ponce de León supposedly get hold the fabled H2O reference . There is no historic orarchaeological evidencesupporting this , however . There ’s also no rationality to conceive the piddle from the park ’s spring has life - extending place , but at least it fall within the legal radiation point of accumulation .
visitant to the attraction can sample the body of water and judge it for themselves . The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park offers more bodily function beyond sip water ; historical showing , reenactment , and excavation — not to mention the colourful peacocks that roam the property freely — are all on the calendar at this Sunshine State landmark .
