Ground Water Recharge Using Waters of Impaired Quality (1994) / Chapter Skim
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7 Conclusions and Recommendations
7 Conclusions and Recommendations
Pages 260-270
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From page 260... ...
Artificial recharge using source waters of impaired quality is a sound option where recharge in intended to control saltwater intrusion, reduce land subsidence, maintain stream baseflows, or similar in-ground functions. It is pariicularly well suited for nonpotable purposes, such as landscape irrigation, because health risks are minimal and public acceptance is high.
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From page 261... ...
reduces pretreatment requirements. Although some impacts of artificial recharge of ground water with source waters of impaired quality are not understood with complete certainty, experience with recharge projects has failed to show (within He limitations of toxicological testing)
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From page 262... ...
· Artificial recharge using water of impaired quality offers particularly significant potential for nonpotable uses. Nonpotable reuse can help reduce demand on [united fresh water sources at minimal health nsk; it is widely practiced and achieves good public acceptance.
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From page 263... ...
Although soil-aquifer treatment improves water quality, the precise level of soil-aquifer treatment achieved often is unpredictable and very difficult to monitor, suggesting that the most reasonable course is to require the best possible source water and use impairedquality sources only in appropriate circumstances. Municipal wastewater that has undergone at least secondary treatment provides a widely available source water that contains levels of many cont~ninants within the treatment and removal capability of well-designed and well-managed soil-aquifer treatment sys tems.
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From page 264... ...
Although the database is not large, the available information does provide a basis for a limited assessment of the potential adverse health impacts when the recovered water is used as a potable supply. All methodologies have inherent limitations, but on the basis of available information there is no indication that the health risks from water recovered after recharge of treated municipal wastewater are greater than those from existing water supplies, or that the concentrations of chemicals or microorganisms are higher than those established in drinking water standards by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
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From page 265... ...
Although the mix of DBPs formed from the use of these other disinfection processes requires more study, these alternatives may be more efficacious than chlorination in minimizing the health risks from ground water recharge due to pathogenic microorganisms and DBPs. Although the health risks associated with potable use of recovered water are likely to be minimal and may be mitigated by sound design and operation of treatment facilities, this committee believes that the best available water sources should be used for potable purposes whenever possible in preference to ground water recharged with impaired-quality source water.
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From page 266... ...
Thus, additional research should be undertaken on the transport and fate of viruses in recharged aquifers to allow improved assessments of the possible health risks and needs for post-extraction disinfection associated with such systems. · Artificial recharge of ground water with waters of impaired quality should be used to augment water supplies for potable uses only when better-quality sources are not available, subject to thorough consideration of health effects and depending on economic and practical considerations.
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From page 267... ...
Artificial recharge is an established technology, and while there is always room for research and improvement in areas such as how to optimize the process, minimize costs, and maximize safety, the greatest remaining uncertainties relate to the potential implications for human health. In particular, research into the fate and transport of chemicals in recharge waters, removal mechanisms for organic constituents in ground water, and use of alternative disinfection techniques offer potential There is also a need for efforts to synthesize existing performance data.
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From page 268... ...
The costs of recharge operations should not be subsidized to make this water source more attractive Can it would otherwise be. LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL CONSIDERATION The development of institutional arrangements governing artificial recharge is critical in determining the extent to which water supplies will ultimately be available from recharge with waters of impaired quality.
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From page 269... ...
Recommendations · As a first step in developing institutional arrangements Hat will foster artificial recharge as a means of augmenting water supplies, states should move to clarify legal rights to source waters and recovered waters for artificial recharge operations. · IN addition to ensuring the protection of public heals related to the consumption of recovered water, when developing regulatory policies states should make explicit provision for the evaluation of project sustainability and environmental impacts of artificial recharge projects.
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