Effects of boundary conditions on the cleaning efficiency of riverbank filtration and artificial groundwater recharge systems regarding bulk parameters and trace pollutants

2012 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 138-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian R. Storck ◽  
Carsten K. Schmidt ◽  
Richard Wülser ◽  
Heinz-Jürgen Brauch
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Riverbank Filtration ◽  
Complexing Agents ◽  
Artificial Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Cleaning Efficiency ◽  
Adsorbable Organic Halides ◽  
Bulk Parameters ◽  
Trace Pollutants

Drinking water is often produced from surface water by riverbank filtration (RBF) or artificial groundwater recharge (AGR). In this study, an AGR system was exemplarily investigated and results were compared with those of RBF systems, in which the effects of redox milieu, temperature and surface water discharge on the cleaning efficiency were evaluated. Besides bulk parameters such as DOC (dissolved organic carbon), organic trace pollutants including iodinated X-ray contrast media, personal care products, complexing agents, and pharmaceuticals were investigated. At all studied sites, levels of TOC (total organic carbon), DOC, AOX (adsorbable organic halides), SAC (spectral absorption coefficient at 254 nm), and turbidity were reduced significantly. DOC removal was stimulated at higher groundwater temperatures during AGR. Several substances were generally easily removable during both AGR and RBF, regardless of the site, season, discharge or redox regime. For some more refractory substances, however, removal efficiency turned out to be significantly influenced by redox conditions.

Evaluating the performance of water purification in a vegetated groundwater recharge basin maintained by short-term pulsed infiltration events

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (11) ◽  
pp. 1912-1922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgit Mindl ◽  
Julia Hofer ◽  
Claudia Kellermann ◽  
Willibald Stichler ◽  
Günter Teichmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Water Purification ◽  
Bacterial Biomass ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Similar Time ◽  
Recharge Basin ◽  
Biomass Activity ◽  
Recharge Rates

Infiltration of surface water constitutes an important pillar in artificial groundwater recharge. However, insufficient transformation of organic carbon and nutrients, as well as clogging of sediments often cause major problems. The attenuation efficiency of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nutrients and pathogens versus the risk of bioclogging for intermittent recharge were studied in an infiltration basin covered with different kinds of macrovegetation. The quality and concentration of organic carbon, major nutrients, as well as bacterial biomass, activity and diversity in the surface water, the porewater, and the sediment matrix were monitored over one recharge period. Additionally, the numbers of viral particles and Escherichia coli were assessed. Our study showed a fast establishment of high microbial activity. DOC and nutrients have sustainably been reduced within 1.2 m of sediment passage. Numbers of E. coli, which were high in the topmost centimetres of sediment porewater, dropped below the detection limit. Reed cover was found to be advantageous over bushes and trees, since it supported higher microbial activities along with a good infiltration and purification performance. Short-term infiltration periods of several days followed by a break of similar time were found suitable for providing high recharge rates, and good water purification without the risk of bioclogging.

Investigating artificial groundwater recharge to ensure the water supply to the city of Graz

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilhelm Tischendorf ◽  
Hans Kupfersberger ◽  
Christian Schilling ◽  
Oliver Gabriel
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Bulk Water ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
Subsurface Water ◽  
Artificial Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Water Recharge ◽  
Water Supply Company

Being Austria's fourth largest water-supply company, the Grazer Stadtwerke AG., has ensured the successful water-supply of the Styrian capital with 250.000 inhabitants for many years. The average daily water demand of the area amounts to about 50,000 m3. Approximately 30 % of the total demand is covered by the bulk water supply from the Zentral Wasser Versorgung Hochschwab Süd. The waterworks Friesach and Andritz, which cover the additional 70 % of the water demand, operate by means of artificial groundwater recharge plants where horizontal filter wells serve as drawing shafts. The groundwater recharge systems serve to increase the productivity of the aquifer and to reduce the share of the infiltration from the Mur River. Protection areas have been identified to ensure that the water quality of the aquifer stay at optimal levels. The protection areas are divided into zones indicating various restrictions for usage and planning. Two respective streams serve as the source for the water recharge plants. Different infiltration systems are utilised. Each of the various artificial groundwater recharge systems displays specific advantages and disadvantages in terms of operation as well as maintenance. In order to secure a sustainable drinking water supply the recharge capacity will be increased. Within an experimental setting different mixtures of top soils are investigated with respect to infiltration and retention rates and compared to the characteristics of the existing basins. It can be shown that the current operating sand basin with more than 90% grains in the range between 0.063 and 6.3 mm represents the best combination of infiltration and retention rates. In future experiments the performance of alternative grain size distributions as well as planting the top soil will be tested. Additionally, in order to optimize the additional groundwater recharge structures the composition of the subsurface water regarding its origin is statistically analyzed.

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