Aquifer Storage and Recovery ASR and Artificial Recharge AR

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Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) and
Artificial Recharge (AR)

• Donn Miller
• Oregon Water Resources Department

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Outline

• Intro to Underground Storage
• Administrative Processes
• Feasibility Key Factors
• Oregon Case Studies
• New Oregon Activities

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Intro To Underground Storage
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What are the Benefits of Underground Storage?
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What are the Benefits of Underground Storage?

• Allows capture and storage of water in winter
  when surface water is abundant.
• More water will be available for summer use and
  population growth.
• Improves use of declining aquifers.
• May increase base flow to streams.

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What are the Benefits of Underground Storage?

• May cause less environmental impact or use less
  surface area than reservoirs.
• Lower cost than surface storage.
• Helps plan for expected population growth and
  climate change projections that put a premium on
  the need for water storage
• Provides water quality improvements

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Methods of Underground Storage

• Infiltration
• Injection

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Administrative Processes
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Key Differences between AR ASR
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Key Differences between AR ASR
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Generalized Application Process for AR ASR
Pre-Application Conference arranged by WRD with
DHS, DEQ, DFW and applicant
Submit application supplemental reports to WRD
WRD issues authorization conditioned by all
agencies
Operation monitoring and reporting to agencies
Apply for additional authorization as needed
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Feasibility Key Factors

• What are future water needs?
• Is water available for underground storage?
• Is there a suitable hydrogeologic setting for
  underground storage?
• Are the appropriate water rights in place?
• What are the analysis and implementation costs?

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Oregon Case Studies
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Status of ASR AR in Oregon

• Active ASR sites 11
• Active AR sites 5

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Status of ASR/AR in Oregon
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Oregon Experience Case Studies
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County Line AR Umatilla/Morrow Counties

• Canal recharge began in 1977
• Recharges an average of 6,000 ac-ft/year
• Augments Ordnance Critical Area gravel aquifer
  for irrigation
• Source water Umatilla River

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Salem ASR Marion County

• The City began ASR in 1997
• Stores up to 500 Million Gallons/year
• Source Water North Santiam River
• Columbia River Basalt aquifer

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New Oregon Activities

• OWSCI Oregon Water Supply and Conservation
  Initiative
• Feasibility Studies Water Conservation, Reuse
  and Storage Grant Program
• Research Umatilla Basin Groundwater Storage

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OWSCI Hydrogeologic Suitability

• WRD staff are evaluating geology across the state
  for the physical ability to store water results
  on the web in July 2009

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Feasibility Studies Grant Program

• Conservation, Reuse, and Storage Grant proposal
  reviews in progress
• Water Resources Commission will allocate funds at
  November meeting
• Projects to begin implementation in January 2009

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Research Umatilla Basin

• Assess infrastructure, geology, need, water
  quality and availability to prioritize potential
  storage sites

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Conclusions

• Oregon has 2 administrative options ASR AR
• There are 16 active Groundwater Storage sites
• The State of Oregon is currently sponsoring 3
  Groundwater Storage Activities

www.wrd.state.or.us