Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR)

Challenges and Opportunities

Boris David (Veolia Water) & Yann Moreau-Le Golvan (KWB)

1 - EU Groundwater Conference - 13-15 November 2008

Main types of MAR solutions

1 Natural recharge 2 Groundwater abstraction 3 Artificial recharge through infiltration (ponds, basins, trenches, drains, spreading fields) 4 Artificial recharge through injection (shallow wells & deep boreholes) 5 Induced recharge through river or lake bank filtration

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MAR a solution for various objectives (1)

Provide storage capacity (ASR in the USA & Australia, North London AR scheme) Sustain groundwater levels and increase aquifer capacity & productivity (Belgium, The local The Netherlands, Austria, France) hydrogeological
context largely Treatment of water (RBF in Germany & Hungary, SAT in IsraelgovernsUSA)types and the the & objectives of Hydraulic barrier against pollution or saline intrusion (Lyons, Catalonia) MAR solutions

Groundwater remediation, nature conservation and recreation & runoff infiltration

Artificial recharge to prevent saline intrusion
Groundwater quality monitoring Brackish water zone Freshwater Injection Freshwater
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Sea water

Pumping for drinking water production

MAR a solution for various objectives (2)of Origin

recharge water & usage envisaged govern the level MAR can be implemented with water from various origins (drinking water, surface of pre and post water, rainwater, wastewater, brackish water, sea water) treatment necessary

MAR can be implemented for various usages (drinking, irrigation, industrial, etc.) MAR is about actively managing the local water cycle (conjunctive use) MAR can brings substantial benefits :
Greater reliability of water supply for various usages Increased flexibility to manage conflicts in a scarcity context Improved environmental quality (0 discharge, wetlands)

MAR can contribute to achieve WFD & GWD objectives (quantity, quality, environmental)

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Implementation of MAR (1)

MAR requires a favourable hydrogeological setting and the availability of a source of recharge water that is compatible with the receiving water and the aquifer matrix detailed investigations to build a robust conceptual model Other important factors to be considered include:
Regulatory and institutional constraints Water rights and economic viability Project constraints (land, local resistance) Recharge water quality and quantity (variability) Water demand and trends (pre/post treatments)

MAR is not feasible everywhere and every MAR scheme is unique! Implementing MAR requires multi-disciplinary approach
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Implementation of MAR (2)

Art. 11.3.(f) of the WFD requires prior Detailed design of MAR schemes may also require extensive field test programs authorisation of AR

and pilot scale studies to address a range of issues such as:

Art. 6.3.(d) of GWD Well spacing and arrangement, infiltration basins size and exempts authorised shape AR from measures Operational and maintenance issues (monitoring, management of clogging) to prevent or limit Environmental impact on receiving water bodies (environmental objectives) GW pollutants in

MAR scheme development in the EU require prior authorisation (basic measures)

AR shall not compromise the achievement of the WFDs environmental objectives for both the source and receptor water bodies

MAR operation requires rigorous and highly professional approach to achieve both the WFD environmental objectives and the desired objectives of the MAR scheme

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Lyons : MAR to protect groundwater quality (1)

114 wells & boreholes 375 hectares in immediate protection zone
The Crpieux-Charmy Well field

Production capacity : 450 000 m3/jour (90% of demand) A high quality but highly vulnerable resource (alluvial) Identified upstream hazards (chemical activities)

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Lyons : MAR to protect groundwater quality (2)

12 recharge basins (150 000m2) to form a hydraulic barrier ROSALYE: a tool to simulate and evaluate responses to pollution events
Mont Saint Gothard Altitude : 1875 m Massif of Saint Gothard
Alt. 1875 m

Wells Recharge Basins to create a piezomtric dome

Rhne
Alluvial aquifer of the Rhne,

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Lyons : MAR to protect groundwater quality (3)

Rhne Basins

Wells

MAR provides continuity of supply in case of pollution events or during droughts MAR enables energy and treatment savings (only disinfection before distribution)

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Berlin : MAR for drinking water production (1)

Havel
BWB manages both DW production & WW treatment DW= 574 000 m/d
Brunnengalerien

800 wells in fine alluvial sand along rivers & lakes (RBF) 9 waterworks (aeration + filtration)

Havel Spree Dahme

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No chemicals, No disinfection AR basins to augment GWL

Berlin : MAR for drinking water production (2)

30 %

1 1

Natural recharge Induced recharge by river and lake bank filtration Artificial recharge through infiltration ponds

55 % 15 %

2 2 3 3

% of recharge types (in volume)

Lakes and rivers around Berlin comprise both natural surface water and treated effluents from waste water plants (15 30 % of the volumes) RBF & AR have the ability to naturally remove and degrade contaminants Groundwater protection and high level waste water treatment is also necessary to prevent contamination of surface and groundwater resources
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Conclusion
MAR provides opportunities for achieving WFD objectives
Achieve good groundwater status (quantitative & qualitative)

MAR a solution for sustainable water resources management

Mitigate the effects of floods and droughts (climate change)

Implementation and operation of MAR can be challenging

Very site and case-specific (little opportunities for replication) Extensive preliminary studies (conceptual model, EIA) Detailed knowledge of hydrogeological context (not always available) State of the art knowledge of hydrogeochemical processes (needs constant updating through science and research)
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Thank you for your attention

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