WaterNewswatch

Groundwater Artificial Recharge, Storage and Recovery

Live Streaming Online June 24-25, 2021

An EUCI Program

Click Here to register

Click Here for conference brochure

 


The new EUCI Groundwater Artificial Recharge, StorageandRecoverycourse will examine the purpose and practice of the ASR process as utilized by public groundwater systems. Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) or Artificial Recharge (AR) is the placement of surface water supply like potable water, reclaimedwater, or river water into an aquifer for future usage. The objective of artificial recharge is to restock water in an aquifer, and the practice is common in areas that have high population density with increased demand for drinking water, juxtaposition to concentrated agriculture, and limited ground or surface water accessibility.

Attend this  course to learn how aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) uses common techniques such as surface spreading, rapid infiltrations pits and basins, porosity reservoirs and injection wells to efficiently store water supply. Throughout the course attendees will discuss the benefits of implementing ASR, how to navigate geologic and hydrogeologic environments, hydraulic recharge and water quality considerations.

Learning Outcomes

  • Discuss the underlying and fundamental principles of Aquifer Storage and Recovery
  • Differentiate between geologic and hydrogeologic environments
  • Identify and mitigate prospective challenges in operating an Aquifer Storage and Recovery process
  • Examine the regulatory standards and considerations of the Artificial Recharge process
  • Review case study approaches to incorporating and implementing ASR or AR processes
  • Recognize how marine and wildlife affect Aquifer Storage and Recovery
  • Review how to build a business case and/or finance the implementation of the new ASR process

Agenda

THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021 : CENTRAL TIME

9:00 – 4:00 p.m. :: Course Timing

What is ASR?

  • Placing water into groundwater storage (recharge)
  • Multiple mechanisms to recharge groundwater
  • Environmentally sound
    • No new dams on channels
    • Minimizes water loss
  • Retime water use from time of supply to time of need, i.e., water management tool
  • Managed aquifer recharge (“MAR”)

Purposes of Aquifer Storage and Recovery

  • Supplemental water supply
  • Maintain water levels/saturation
  • Prevent or minimize saltwater intrusion

Geologic and Hydrogeologic Environments

  • Types of geologic environments
    • Alluvial aquifers
    • Sedimentary bedrock
    • Karst
    • Volcanics
    • Precambrian
  • Hydrogeologic environments
    • Unconfined aquifers
    • Confined aquifers
  • Groundwater flow
    • Rate and direction
    • Vertical movement

Methods of Recharge

  • Injection wells
    • Baski valve-positive pressure/prevent cavitation
    • Injection below water level
    • Maintain injection line well above pump-minimize air entrainment
    • Can be utilized in unconfined or confined aquifers
  • Rapid infiltration basins
    • High permeability in RIB floor
    • Maintain head/minimize evaporative losses
    • Only applicable in shallow aquifers
    • Only applicable in unconfined aquifers
    • Understanding local unsaturated zone geology critical
    • Dominion and control more difficult
    • Ability to access for periodic tilling to maintain permeability
  • Porosity reservoirs
    • Alluvial aquifers
    • Construct a low-permeability barrier wall around an area so groundwater flow in and out is minimized
    • Use area inside for aquifer storage
    • May be issues related to water rights
  • Surface spreading
    • Low tech method
    • Apply to open land

Source water

  • Location
  • Amount
  • Types
    • Surface water
    • Reclaimed water
    • Storm water
  • Availability (direct use vs. storage)

FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2021 : CENTRAL TIME

Course Timing 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Recharge Geologic and Hydrogeologic Considerations

  • Unsaturated versus saturated zone
  • Unconfined versus confined aquifers
  • Dominion and control

Hydraulic Recharge Considerations Related to Recharge

  • Lateral versus vertical flow
  • Dispersion of injected fluid
  • Differential recharge to layers based on hydraulic conductivity
  • Viscosity effects due to temperature gradients
  • Density-driven flow
  • Air entrainment

Water Quality Considerations Related to Recharge

  • Geochemical compatibility between source and aquifer water
    • Geologic matrix
    • Physical considerations (temperature, DO, Cl, TSS)
    • Chemical (oxidation reactions/precipitation/encrustation/corrosion)

Water Recovery

  • Similar to pumping native water

Capital and O&M Costs

Regulations and Compliance

  • UIC-Class V/authorization by rule-aquifer storage component
  • Extraction rules (i.e., recovery)
  • Anti-degradation standard
  • Monitoring
  • Water quality sampling
  • Reporting

Case Studies for Groundwater Artificial Recharge, Storage and Recovery

  • Denver Basin
  • Ogallala
  • Florida