Australian exemplars of sustainable and economic managed aquifer recharge

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) can improve water security by using aquifers to store water when it is abundant until required for future use and can increase the use of urban stormwater and treated wastewater to reduce the demand on traditional surface water and groundwater supplies. Recently, two Australian examples were showcased internationally as sustainable and economic MAR: Perth’s groundwater replenishment scheme (GWRS) with recycled water to increase security of urban water supply and a multi-site urban stormwater MAR scheme for suburban non-potable water supply in Salisbury, Adelaide. This paper provides a synopsis of these Australian exemplars of sustainable and economic MAR.

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Recycling water in U.S. cities: understanding preferences for aquifer recharging and dual-reticulation systems

Water Policy ◽

10.2166/wp.2019.162 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (6) ◽

pp. 1207-1223 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

David J. Hess ◽

Brandi M. Collins

Keyword(s):

Water Supply ◽

Groundwater Recharge ◽

Power Plants ◽

Potable Water ◽

Water Source ◽

Water Supply Systems ◽

Aquifer Recharge ◽

Recycled Water ◽

Water Supplies ◽

Supply Systems

Abstract Recycling of effluent water from urban water-supply systems is often a more sustainable water source than increased use of surface sources, groundwater sources, and desalination. However, water-supply organizations (WSOs) often do not take full advantage of recycled water. Although recycling water for direct potable use is efficient, public concern with safety has tended to cause WSOs to favor other uses for recycled water. This study examines patterns in the degree of utilization of two main indirect uses of recycled water: dual-reticulation systems and groundwater recharge. Drawing on case studies of four U.S. cities that are leaders in the use of recycled water, the study identifies conditions that favor the choice of one option over the other. Where cities are concerned with groundwater recharge of potable water supplies, they tend to prefer non-recycled water if available for recharge projects. However, where non-recycled water supplies are limited, recycled water may be prioritized for aquifer recharge. Otherwise, the preference is for use by large industrial partners such as power plants or for exchanges for higher-quality potable water resources with rural systems. In contrast, dual-reticulation (purple-pipe) systems for direct nonpotable recycling face steep economic and technical challenges.

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Evolution of water recycling in Australian cities since 2003

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2010.362 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 62 (4) ◽

pp. 792-802 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

J. C. Radcliffe

Keyword(s):

Water Quality Management ◽

Water Reservoir ◽

Managed Aquifer Recharge ◽

Treated Wastewater ◽

Water Recycling ◽

Aquifer Recharge ◽

Recycled Water ◽

Government Grants ◽

Desalination Plants ◽

National Water

The prolonged Australian drought which commenced in 2002, and the agreement between Australia's Commonwealth and States/Territories governments to progress water reform through the National Water Initiative, has resulted in many new recycling projects in Australia's capital cities. Dual reticulation systems are being advanced in new subdivision developments in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Brisbane has installed three large Advanced Water Treatment Plants that are designed to send indirect potable recycled water to the Wivenhoe Dam which is Brisbane's principal water reservoir. Numerous water recycling projects are serving industry and agriculture. Experimental managed aquifer recharge is being undertaken with wetland-treated stormwater in Adelaide and reverse osmosis treated wastewater in Perth. New National Water Quality Management Strategy recycled water guidelines have been developed for managing environmental risks, for augmentation of drinking water supplies, for managed aquifer recharge and for stormwater harvesting and reuse. Many recent investments are part-supported through Commonwealth government grants. Desalination plants are being established in Melbourne and Adelaide and a second one in Perth in addition to the newly-operational plants in Perth, South-East Queensland and Sydney. Despite there being numerous examples of unplanned indirect potable recycling, most governments remain reluctant about moving towards planned potable recycling. There is evidence of some policy bans still being maintained by governments but the National Water Commission continues to reinforce the necessity of an even-handed objective consideration of all water supply options.

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Microbiological risks of recycling urban stormwater via aquifers

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2012.069 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 65 (9) ◽

pp. 1692-1695 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

D. Page ◽

D. Gonzalez ◽

P. Dillon

Keyword(s):

Water Systems ◽

Managed Aquifer Recharge ◽

Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment ◽

Confined Aquifer ◽

Aquifer Recharge ◽

Recycled Water ◽

Urban Stormwater ◽

Microbial Risk Assessment ◽

Microbial Risk ◽

Detailed Assessment

With the release of the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR), aquifers are now being included as a treatment barrier when assessing risk of recycled water systems. A MAR research site recharging urban stormwater in a confined aquifer was used in conjunction with a Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment to assess the microbial pathogen risk in the recovered water for different end uses. The assessment involved undertaking a detailed assessment of the treatment steps and exposure controls, including the aquifer, to achieve the microbial health-based targets.

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Towards indirect potable reuse in South East Queensland

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2008.635 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 58 (1) ◽

pp. 153-161 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

W. H. Traves ◽

E. A. Gardner ◽

B. Dennien ◽

D. Spiller

Keyword(s):

Water Supply ◽

Potable Water ◽

Recycled Water ◽

Short Term ◽

Water Project ◽

Potable Reuse ◽

Potable Water Supply ◽

Indirect Potable Reuse

Faced with limited water supply options in the longer term and the worst drought on record in the short term, the Queensland Government is constructing the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project which will supply up to 182 ML/day of purified recycled water for industrial and potable purposes. The project is one of a suite of capital works projects in progress which in the longer term will supply up to 10% of the region's potable water supply.

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Risks of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) for Sustainable Water Recycling via Aquifers

Water ◽

10.3390/w11081737 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 1737 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Declan Page ◽

Joanne Vanderzalm ◽

Anupama Kumar ◽

Ka Yu Cheng ◽

Anna H. Kaksonen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Post Treatment ◽

Treated Wastewater ◽

Water Recycling ◽

Aquifer Recharge ◽

Recycled Water ◽

Urban Stormwater ◽

Polyfluoroalkyl Substances ◽

Pre Treatment ◽

End Use ◽

Perfluoroalkyl And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

The prediction of the fate of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water recycling with urban stormwater and treated wastewater is important since PFAS are widely used, persistent, and have potential impacts on human health and the environment. These alternative water sources have been utilized for water recycling via aquifers or managed aquifer recharge (MAR). However, the fate of these chemicals in MAR schemes and the potential impact in terms of regulation have not been studied. PFAS can potentially be transported long distances in the subsurface during MAR. This article reviews the potential risks to MAR systems using recycled water and urban stormwater. To date, there are insufficient data to determine if PFAS can be degraded by natural processes or retained in the aquifer and become suitable pre-treatment or post-treatment technologies that will need to be employed depending upon the end use of the recovered water. The use of engineered pre-treatment or post-treatment methods needs to be based on a ‘fit for purpose’ principle and carefully integrated with the proposed water end use to ensure that human and environmental health risks are appropriately managed.

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Assessing the potential for managed aquifer recharge (MAR) of the Cape Flats Aquifer

Water SA ◽

10.17159/wsa/2021.v47.i4.3801 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 47 (4 October) ◽

Author(s):

B Mauck ◽

K Winter

Keyword(s):

Storage Capacity ◽

Urban Landscape ◽

Water Security ◽

Unconfined Aquifer ◽

Managed Aquifer Recharge ◽

Treated Wastewater ◽

Aquifer Recharge ◽

Supply Potential ◽

Additional Water ◽

The City

This paper discusses the potential use of ‘managed aquifer recharge’ (MAR) in Cape Town to provide additional water supplies to the city that are fit-for-purpose. The paper investigates the feasibility of implementing MAR by simulating the artificial recharge of winter stormwater into the Cape Flats Aquifer (CFA), an extensive sandy, unconfined aquifer that covers most of metropolitan Cape Town’s urban landscape. The objective is to assess the storage capacity and supply potential of two MAR sites by modelling various scenarios in order to determine the feasibility of MAR as a viable strategy for achieving improved water security by augmenting groundwater water supply. The selected scenarios demonstrated that MAR could be used to minimise the risk of seawater intrusion and maximise the amount of water available for abstraction from the CFA. Six MAR scenarios provided strong evidence to suggest that there is sufficient storage capacity within the CFA for using stormwater to improve the wellfield yield in two regions of the CFA and which can sustainably yield approximately 18 Mm3 per year. The study concluded that the use of stormwater or treated wastewater could be deliberately used to recharge the CFA and as a viable option in support of the City of Cape Town’s intention to establish a water-resilient city by 2030.

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Recharge and Recycling

High and Dry ◽

10.12987/yale/9780300220384.003.0010 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

William M. Alley ◽

Rosemarie Alley

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Water Resources ◽

Population Growth ◽

Water Supply ◽

Groundwater Recharge ◽

Managed Aquifer Recharge ◽

Aquifer Recharge ◽

Recycled Water ◽

The World

Managed aquifer recharge is a widespread and growing practice. In addition, using recycled water for groundwater recharge and water supply continues to grow as water resources are increasingly strained by population growth and climate change. Through a series of examples from around the world, the chapter illustrates the value as well as limitations of managed aquifer recharge and recycled water.

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