Grantee Research Project Results
2024 Progress Report: Validating methods to measure, optimize and model the behavior of infiltration-based BMPs in groundwater recharge and potential impact on groundwater quality
EPA Grant Number: R840616Title: Validating methods to measure, optimize and model the behavior of infiltration-based BMPs in groundwater recharge and potential impact on groundwater quality
Investigators: Kouwonou, Yao , Ly, Jackie , Ulrich, Craig , Uhlemann, Sebastian , Wessel, Chris , Fassman-Beck, Elizabeth , Massoudieh, Arash , Hala, Keith , Batarseh, Daniel , Xin, Danhui
Institution: Los Angeles County Public Works , Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Geosyntec Consultants , Catholic University of America , Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority
EPA Project Officer: Harper, Jacquelyn
Project Period: August 1, 2023 through April 25, 2025
Project Period Covered by this Report: August 1, 2023 through July 31,2024
Project Amount: $2,000,000
RFA: Enhanced Aquifer Recharge Performance and Potential Risk in Different Regional and Hydrogeologic Settings Request For Applications (RFA) (2023) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Endocrine Disruptors , Aquifer , Aquifer Recharge , Clean Water
Objective:
This project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of stormwater best management practices (BMPs) for Enhanced Aquifer Recharge (EAR), focusing on the quantity and quality of urban stormwater that recharges local groundwater. It will investigate the impact of lateral exfiltration of stormwater runoff, vadose zone stratification, and pollutant transport into groundwater. Project activities include monitoring flow paths and soil characteristics to assess infiltration rates, identifying critical sampling points for pollutant transport and health risk assessment, and calibrating the OpenHydroQual model with field data. Deliverables include an open-source modeling tool for EAR BMP performance evaluation, along with annual and final reports. Engineers, planners, and other users can input specific BMP parameters to assess long-term performance and potential pollutant risks to groundwater. Beneficiaries include water resource managers, communities dependent on groundwater, LA County water users, and the general public.
Progress Summary:
Contract agreements with all stakeholders for this project have been successfully finalized. Significant progress has been achieved in identifying and securing approval for the infiltration gallery study site. Additionally, monitoring sensors for water quality testing have been fully installed at the drywell site. The team is actively calibrating the model for the drywell system and preparing the model for the infiltration gallery site based on as-built drawings.
Future Activities:
Upcoming activities include completing the installation of monitoring equipment at the infiltration gallery and drywell sites, collecting data throughout the rainy season, continuing model calibration, and incorporating collected data to refine the model's accuracy.
Supplemental Keywords:
geophysics, hydrology, geochemistry, subsurface, heterogeneity, hydraulic conductivity, biodegradation, natural attenuation, electrical resistivity tomography, measurement methods, modeling, uncertainty, decision making, urban managed aquifer recharge, bioswale, drywell, infiltration gallery, urban runoff, BMP
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.