A critical evaluation of combined engineered and aquifer treatment systems in water recycling

Abstract

Australian experience at five research sites where stormwater and reclaimed water have been stored in aquifers prior to reuse, have yielded valuable information about water treatment processes in anaerobic and aerobic aquifers. One of these sites is the stormwater to potable water ASTR project at the City of Salisbury, a demonstration project within the broader EC project 'RECLAIM WATER'. A framework for characterising the effectiveness of such treatment for selected organic chemicals, natural organic matter, and pathogens is being developed for inclusion in new Australian Guidelines for Management of Aquifer Recharge. The combination of pre-treatments (including passive systems such as reed beds) and aquifer treatment effectiveness in relation to source waters and intended uses of recovered water will be described. Advantages and disadvantages of various types of pre-treatments in relation to effectiveness and sustainability of managed aquifer recharge will be discussed taking account of aquifer characteristics. These observations will be consolidated into a draft set of principles to assist in selection of engineered treatments compatible with passive treatment in aquifers.

Biotin- and Glycoprotein-Coated Microspheres as Surrogates for Studying Filtration Removal of Cryptosporidium parvum in a Granular Limestone Aquifer Medium

“…The porous medium used in the column experiments was sourced from a tertiary limestone aquifer at the MAR site in Parafield Gardens, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia (25). Figure 1 shows a schematic of the treatment steps used at this MAR site, which recycles urban storm water runoff.…”

“…Many managed aquifer recharge (MAR) sites are also developed in limestone aquifers, e.g., in Australia and Mexico (25) and in the southeast United States (26). Thus, investigating C. parvum filtration in limestone aquifer medium has important implications for aquifer management and risk analysis of potable groundwater.…”

Nutrient Removal during Stormwater Aquifer Storage and Recovery in an Anoxic Carbonate Aquifer

“…Nutrient Removal during Stormwater Aquifer Storage and Recovery in an Anoxic Carbonate Aquifer Joanne L. Vanderzalm,* Declan W. Page, Peter J. Dillon, Karen E. Barry, and Dennis Gonzalez S tormwater harvesting coupled to managed aquifer recharge (MAR) in urban environments provides a means to use the available and often wasted stormwater resource while also managing the resource to provide protection of the natural and built environment. Managed aquifer recharge takes advantage of suitable aquifers beneath our cities to provide storage, which is important for security of supply and to balance the supply of wet-season runoff with dry-season demand (Dillon et al, 2008). Numerous MAR techniques are available, typically recharging shallow, unconfined aquifers by infiltration methods and using wells to recharge deeper, confined aquifers (NRMMC-EPHC-NHMRC, 2009).…”

Development of multi-criteria decision support system (DSS) coupled with GIS for identifying optimal locations for soil aquifer treatment (SAT) facilities

“…The type of system to be selected for artificial recharge of groundwater and how it should be designed and managed for optimum performance depends entirely on local conditions of soil, hydrogeology, topography, water availability (quality, continuous, or interrupted supply), and climate (Bower, 2004). Dillon (2005,) summarizes all available groundwater engineering techniques for Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR): Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR); Aquifer storage transfer and recovery (ASTR) (Dillon et al, 2008); bank filtration; injection wells; dune filtration; infiltration ponds; percolation tanks; rainwater harvesting; Soil Aquifer Treatment (SAT); sand dams; underground dams; recharge releases.…”