Managed Aquifer Recharge

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Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) has been identified as a potential major water source for Western Australia for the future. MAR involves adding a water source such as recycled water to underground aquifers under controlled conditions.

A $3 million project will investigate the different aquifers across the Swan Coastal Plain that may be used for MAR schemes. The research, being undertaken by the Water Corporation and CSIRO (in association with Curtin University, The University of WA, the Chemistry Centre and the Centre for Groundwater Studies) with support from the Premier’s Water Foundation, will help define the appropriateness of aquifer recharge and pre-treatment requirements for MAR in the Superficial Aquifer in WA.

Research sites

MAR research sites include:

• A three-year pilot research project trialling the infiltration of recycled water to the Superficial Aquifer in Perth, based at CSIRO’s Floreat headquarters and using treated wastewater supplied from the Water Corporation’s Subiaco Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• The Halls Head indirect reuse project, investigating water quality improvements associated with using infiltration ponds and the feasibility of using covered infiltration galleries.
• Kwinana Wastewater Reclamation Plant, investigating the impact of high quality, low salt water produced by the plant on aquifer material sourced from the Gnangara Mound.

Uses of MAR water

The main purpose of aquifer recharge is to store excess water for later use, while improving water quality by recharging the aquifer with high quality water. If the groundwater is too salty for use then the addition of a fresher recycled water supply will displace the saltier groundwater.

The method increases water storage in the aquifer, to make more water available for irrigation and other uses and also to preserve water levels in wetlands that are maintained by groundwater. Groundwater recharge may also be used to mitigate or control saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers.

The water withdrawn from the aquifer can be used to irrigate green open spaces, namely parks, ovals and golf courses, which generally use large quantities of water. These and other possible uses of the water will depend on public acceptance of such schemes.

News

Please contact us with any questions or comments you have about managed aquifer recharge projects and research in Western Australia.

Related Links

• What is recycled water?
• Subiaco Wastewater Treatment Plant
• Kwinana Wastewater Reclamation Plant

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