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Monitoring Potential Water Quality Changes Using Managed Aquifer Recharge: Unlocking the Secrets of a Fractured/Karst Aquifer
Citation:
Beak, D., R. Ross, J. Fields, AND L. Rhea. Monitoring Potential Water Quality Changes Using Managed Aquifer Recharge: Unlocking the Secrets of a Fractured/Karst Aquifer. Groundwater Protection Council (GWPC) UIC Conference, Oklahoma City, OK, February 26 - 28, 2024.
Impact/Purpose:
This presentation will inform GWPC members and Federal and State partners of EPA research into MAR and show some of the difficulties and complexities of monitoring infiltrated water in a karst (fractured) aquifer.
Description:
Climate change has created the need for innovate methods for the management of groundwater and the augmentation of groundwater supplies in areas that are susceptible to drought as well as other climate related problems such as saltwater intrusion. This will create an enhanced dependance on groundwater resources and there is a finite capacity for the utilization of groundwater in many areas. Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) is one potential means to capture water (stormwater, wastewater, etc.) and use the captured water to increase groundwater supply. In a review report, U.S. EPA (2021), identified several research gaps that need to be investigated for successful MAR implementation. At the same time, U.S. EPA in 2021, began a MAR study in the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer to address several of the research gaps identified in the report. The Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer is designated as a sole source aquifer and is the only reliable water supply for much of south-central Oklahoma. The goals of this EPA research are to understand the fate and transport of contaminants as well as potential impacts to water quality MAR could have. Another goal of this research effort is to demonstrate the use of geophysical tools to understand the movement of water in a MAR system in a karst (fractured rock) environment. Lastly, this study will demonstrate the types of characterization and monitoring that will be needed for successful MAR implementation and operation. This presentation will present techniques, difficulties, and challenges of monitoring stormwater movement following infiltration in a karst aquifer system. Understanding of how water is moving and the monitoring needs is crucial to the understanding of potential impacts to groundwater quality and protection of groundwater.