© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 AwwaRF Underground Water Storage Research NARUC Winter Meetings Committee on Water Washington, DC February 19, 2008

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 Who Are We? AwwaRF is a member-supported, international, nonprofit organization that sponsors research to enable water utilities, public health agencies, and other professionals to provide safe and affordable drinking water to consumers.

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 AwwaRF Subscribers n ~ 900 utilities n 53 consultants n 16 manufacturers

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 AwwaRF Funding Sources (2007) Partners / Other 7% Congress8% Voluntary Subscription Subscription85%

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 Where Funding Goes (Strategic Goal Areas) InfrastructureReliability25% High Quality Water 40% Efficient and Customer Responsive Organization Responsive Organization20% EnvironmentalLeadership15% Sustainable Underground Storage

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 Environmental Leadership Goal Area n Watershed management n Source water protection n Reservoir management and operations n Sustainable underground storage n Conservation and demand management n Desalination and salinity control n Water reuse n Residuals management Provide research to help water utilities demonstrate environmental leadership through protection and sustainable use of water resources, development of alternative water sources, and proper management of residuals.

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 What is Sustainable Underground Storage? n Water is captured from a source n Water is recharged into an aquifer n Water is stored n Water is recovered for use n Water is used From National Academies, “Prospects for Managed Underground Storage of Recoverable Water,” October 2007

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 Terminology – The First Hurdle n Aquifer storage (and) recovery (ASR) n Soil aquifer treatment (SAT) n Artificial recharge n Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) n Sustainable underground storage (SUS) n Managed underground storage (MUS)—National Academies, 2007

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 Variations on the Theme Recharge Methods n Designed wells n Open bores n Infiltration galleries n Constructed ponds (“spreading basins”) n Natural or constructed stream channels n Abandoned quarries Water Sources n Surface water (esp. seasonal flows or imported water) n Stormwater n Treated wastewater (reuse) n Desalinated seawater or brackish groundwater

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 “How Come?” n Capture and store seasonal flows or unused rights that are otherwise “lost” n Environmental restoration n Barrier to salt water intrusion n Emergency supply n Improve water quality (natural attenuation, blending with groundwater)

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 Potential Benefits as a Storage Option n Avoid evaporative loss n Secure—well protected from deliberate tampering n Often more cost-effective than other options n Often more environmentally friendly than other options

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 Where is Underground Storage? Modified after Pyne, R. D. G., 2005, Aquifer Storage Recovery: A Guide to Groundwater Recharge Through Wells. Second Edition.

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 Considerations and Challenges: Hydrogeological Issues n Aquifer storage capacity n Groundwater flow—loss of stored water (% recovery) n Impacts on groundwater and surface water hydrology n Site-specific feasibility studies a must

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 Considerations and Challenges: Water Quality Issues n Natural attenuation (good) n Leaching from aquifer (bad) n Recharge water impact on native groundwater quality n Pretreatment needs—plugging and clogging

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 Considerations and Challenges: Cost-Benefit Issues n Feasibility, planning and design costs n Operational costs n Monitoring costs n Staffing / outsourcing costs

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 Considerations and Challenges: Regulatory Framework n Federal and most state reg programs not developed for underground storage n Groundwater protection, non- degradation n Water rights / ownership of stored water n Recovery rates and allowable uses of recovered water

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 AwwaRF Research Highlights n Partnerships with CSIRO (Australia) n Both beneficial and negative changes in stored water quality n 2618 published; 2974 pending 2618—Water Quality Improvements During Aquifer Storage and Recovery 2974—Water Quality Changes Associated With Aquifer Storage and Recovery

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 AwwaRF Research Highlights (cont) n ASR Systems, Inc., Gainesville FL n Technical considerations and best practices n Idea developed in 2004 workshop with National Academies n To be published mid —Design, Operation, and Maintenance Considerations for Sustainable Underground Storage Facilities

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 AwwaRF Research Highlights (cont) n University of Montana n Tailored collaboration with Mountain Water Company (Missoula, MT) n Variables affecting quality of both recharge water (stormwater) and stored water n To be published in —Quantifying the Capacity of Coarse-Grained Vadose Zones to Treat Class V Well Injected Storm Water

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 AwwaRF Research – Other Relevant Studies 487—Investigation of Soil-Aquifer Treatment for Sustainable Water Reuse 713—Aquifer Storage Recovery of Treated Drinking Water 2529—Comparison of Alternative Methods for Recharge of a Deep Aquifer 2539—ASR in Wisconsin Using the Cambrian-Ordovician Aquifer 3043—Potential and Pitfalls for Sustainable Underground Storage of Recoverable Water (National Academies report)

© Copyright Awwa Research Foundation 2008 Thank You! Chris Rayburn Director, Research Management AwwaRF (303)