Managing Water Supply with Aquifer Storage and Recovery

Buchanan, Thomas J.; Ibison, Margaret A.; ,

Managing Water Supply with Aquifer Storage and Recovery

by Thomas J. Buchanan, CH2M HILL, Reston, United States,
Margaret A. Ibison, CH2M HILL, Reston, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water Resources Planning and Management: Saving a Threatened Resource?In Search of Solutions

Abstract:

The City of Chesapeake, located in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, is experiencing a rapid growth in population which translates into an increased demand for water, particularly during periods of peak summer use. By the year 2030, the City expects to double its current average and maximum daily water demand. To compound the problem, Chesapeake's main source of supply, the Northwest River, is plagued with seasonal saltwater intrusion. Chesapeake's problem is not unique - many coastal communities in the United States are faced with similar water supply challenges. In the search to develop a cost-effective and reliable supply of high-quality water in quantities sufficient to meet projected demand, the City decided that aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) combined with Dismal Swamp Canal spillage diversion, would provide the best solution to their supply problem. ASR is a relatively new concept in municipal water supply; there are currently eleven operational ASR systems in the United States at sites in California, Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, Texas, and Virginia. ASR technology involves injecting treated drinking water through recharge wells into a suitable aquifer and recovering water through the same wells. Usually, water injection takes place during wet months and recovery occurs during dry months to meet peak or emergency demands.

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