Aquifer Storage and Recovery in the Floridan Aquifer System of South Florida

Muniz, Albert; Ziegler, William B.; ,

Aquifer Storage and Recovery in the Floridan Aquifer System of South Florida

by Albert Muniz, CH2M HILL, Deerfield Beach, United States,
William B. Ziegler, CH2M HILL, Deerfield Beach, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water Policy and Management: Solving the Problems

Abstract:

This paper describes the feasibility, construction, testing, and storage zone development of the Boynton Beach Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) well, the first successful ASR project in the Floridan Aquifer System of South Florida. ASR is the underground storage of water through a well into a suitable aquifer when excess supplies are available, and recovery from the same well during the dry season to meet seasonal, peak system, or emergency demands. ASR applications with treated drinking water require no additional treatment except basic disinfection during the recovery phase. This technology provides enormous storage potential at a cost savings that is usually over 50 percent when compared to that of surface storage reservoirs, and provides for greater flexibility. It is anticipated that treated water ASR wells completed in the upper Floridan Aquifer System of South Florida may store up to approximately 100 to 200 million gallons (MG) of water. Cycle testing commenced immediately after completion of construction. During full-scale development, 60 MG were stored and recovered until chloride concentrations reached 250 milligrams per liter (mg/L). The recovery efficiency of the first five cycles has increased significantly with development of the storage zone.

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