Aquifer storage recovery is a key component in sustainability

Aquifer Storage Recovery (ASR) has revolutionized the water resources man-agement field, providing a means for sustainable development of water supplies while minimizing environmental impacts. By using underground geologic formations as a medium for storing large volumes of treated water, aquifer recharge is now widely applied throughout the world to resolve water resource and environmental issues, including seasonal water supply deficits, emergency storage, ground subsidence, and saline intrusion.

CH2M HILL pioneered the development and implementation of ASR technology as a tool for managing water supply systems. From its first project in Manatee County, Florida, the company expanded its expertise by developing operational systems throughout the United States and internationally. CH2M HILL developed the first operational ASR well in Canada at Mannheim, Ontario. ASR is also being implemented in England, Holland, Israel, Kuwait, Australia, Thailand and Taiwan.

Aquifer Storage Recovery

ASR is a water supply strategy that can be a key component of sustainable development of municipal water supplies. Many municipalities are experiencing rapid population growth and increasing pressure on finite water resources. However, in many instances sufficient water resources are available on an annual basis, but are not always available at the time (dry season) and place when they are most needed. This is where ASR can play an important role. Water can be stored in underground aquifers through ASR wells during the wet season when surplus water is available and demands are typically lower. The stored water can be recovered using the same wells during the peak demand dry season. Water can also be stored underground on a long-term basis, thereby providing a sustainable water reserve to meet emergency or drought water needs.

ASR is a very efficient and cost-effective approach to water system expansion because it optimizes the use of existing facilities and available water resources by matching available supply to water demand through underground storage. ASR can be used to provide sustainable water supplies to communities, while preventing aquifer depletion and maintaining or enhancing sensitive ecosystems. Thus, ASR can provide an effective tool for sustainable development and management of available water resources within a watershed to balance the needs of competing water demands.

Social and Economic Benefits

ASR optimizes the use of existing water supply and treatment facilities and available water resources. It can be used to provide sustainable water supplies to communities, while minimizing the need for construction of new infrastructure, thereby deferring capital expenditures. Typically, the cost to develop additional peak water supply capacity with ASR is less than half the cost of conventional alternatives such as expansion of water supply, treatment, or distribution facilities.

Reduced Environmental Impacts

As water is obtained during periods of water surplus for use during periods of water shortage when ecosystems may be stressed due to lack of water, the impact of water withdrawals is minimized. ASR can also reduce environmental impacts from surface water diversions, surface storage reservoirs and storage tanks, and transmission facilities.

Ecosystem Maintenance or Enhancement

Through restoration of groundwater levels in depleted aquifers and maintaining groundwater discharge to streams and sensitive ecosystems, particularly during dry periods, the health of these ecosystems can be maintained or enhanced.

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