NGWA Publishes Best Practices For Ground Water Professionals On Aquifer Storage And Recovery

A new set of best suggested practices (BSPs) for groundwater professionals involved in aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) projects has been approved by the National Ground Water Association (NGWA).

First conceptualized in 2010, NGWA’s Best Suggested Practices for Aquifer Storage and Recovery has been developed through consensus of industry professionals with day-to-day experience in ASR system design and operation. The final document was recently approved by the Board of Directors and now is available as a PDF through NGWA’s online bookstore.

This abridged guide explains the processes and considerations for an ASR system and its implementation. ASR is one facet of Managed Aquifer Recharge that involves using the aquifer as a storage bank from which water can be recovered later for drinking water purposes. Systems implementing ASR have been employed around the country as a method to sustain water reserves.

Topics included in the BSP are:

• Overview of ASR
• Planning, phased implementation, and project scaling
• Components of an ASR system
• Source water
• Receiving aquifer characteristics
• Drilling methods, well design, and construction
• Monitoring an ASR system
• Evaluating system performance
• Regulatory and policy requirements
• Stakeholder involvement.

For more information, visit http://www.ngwa.org/Professional-Resources/bsp/Pages/default.aspx.

About National Ground Water Association
NGWA, a nonprofit organization composed of U.S. and international groundwater professionals — contractors, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, scientists, and engineers — is dedicated to advancing groundwater knowledge. NGWA’s vision is to be the leading groundwater association that advocates the responsible development, management, and use of water.