Water Use and Reuse Stream Projects

Water Quality Changes during ASR with Reclaimed Water

Introduction

Storage of reclaimed water through aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) represents a powerful tool for effectively using valuable water resources. There are however many technical, regulatory, public health and perception constraints which limit current applications. This WateReuse Foundation project, headed by Carollo Engineers in the USA brings together team members with extensive experience in ASR, reclaimed water, geochemistry, hydrogeology and microbiology, as well as public health risk assessment, project management and team facilitation. Data from the reclaimed water ASR site at Bolivar ASR site will contribute to the pool of data from several sites around the world.

Objectives/Scope

• Definition of organic and other constituents of wastewater origin deemed most significant for reclaimed water ASR projects
• Measure concentrations of microcontaminants of wastewater origin during treatment, storage and recovery of reclaimed water, as determined from sampling for these constituents and their metabolites.
• Compare observed constituent concentrations with established standards, guidance concentrations, and toxicity levels to ascertain the degree of risk to public health and the environment as a result of reclaimed ASR operations.
• Definition of water quality standards, guidance concentrations for chronic and acute toxicity levels.
• Improve public perception

Activities

• Technical workshop
• Literature Survey - write up Australia case studies
• Prioritising Issues and constraints - input to developing list of chem/biological constituents and rationale
• Field sampling for Australian site and send to labs (in USA and Aust) for analysis
• Evaluate results and identify processes of attenuation in relation to aquifer conditions
• Write report on Australian component – and review interim, draft, and final report chapters

Key Staff

Peter Dillon, Simon Toze, Joanne Vanderzalm, Karen Barry

Partners

Carollo Engineers (USA), ASR Systems Pty Ltd (USA), BPS&J (USA) and Bolivar ASR Research Project Partners; SA Dept of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation, SA Water Corporation, United Water International Pty Ltd, SA Dept of Administrative and Information Services. Supported by WateReuse Foundation.

Timeline

April 2004 – June 2006

Links

• WateReuse Foundation
• Carollo Engineers
• ASR Systems