Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) and water banking
We assess the feasibility of managed aquifer recharge and water banking as integrated water resource management strategies to increase water security and drought resilience.
We provide multi-disciplinary science to manage health and environmental risks for managed aquifer recharge schemes, and to identify future opportunities for managed aquifer recharge and water banking. Our research includes the use of available natural and recycled water sources to intentionally recharge aquifers for irrigation or drinking water supply or for environmental benefit.
Our science understanding underpinned the development of the first risk-based management framework (Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling Guidelines: Managed Aquifer Recharge) for managed aquifer recharge to support safe and sustainable adoption of this water resource management strategy.
Treated wastewater Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) scheme at Aldinga, South Australia
Our research incorporates desktop, laboratory and field- based investigations and ranges from scheme-scale feasibility to larger regional-scale opportunity assessment, including within data-sparse areas. Key knowledge gaps addressed include aquifer characterisation and suitability assessment, impacts on other groundwater users or groundwater dependent ecosystems, water quality changes including natural attenuation or mobilisation processes, management of aquifer clogging, economics and policy constraints.
- Upper King River (NT) managed aquifer recharge investigations
- Rapid appraisal of managed aquifer recharge opportunities for agriculture
- Managed aquifer recharge opportunities for agriculture in NSW
- Investigations into solutions for addressing managed aquifer recharge clogging
- Water Resource Assessment projects in northern Australia
- Transforming Agriculture in the Pilbara (TAP) project