Integration of Artificial Recharge and Recovery Systems for Impaired Water Sources in Urban Settings: Overcoming Current Limitations and Engineering Challenges

Utilization of underlying local aquifers to treat, store, and recover locally produced reclaimed water provides the potential to reduce costs, energy, and infrastructure requirements of water supplies in urban areas. However, water quality issues, limited design and operational guidance, and physical footprint requirements are impeding the implementation of artificial recharge and recovery (ARR) systems in urban water infrastructure configurations. This article reviews the current practice of ARR and proposes approaches to improve the integration into urban settings regarding (1) feasibility of a reduced physical footprint of ARR systems, while maintaining water quality benefits and maximizing yield; and (2) manipulating subsurface hydrological, geochemical, and biological conditions to increase attenuation of key contaminants. The contribution of this interdisciplinary review article is to outline ways to achieve improved design and control strategies of ARR systems that ensure cost-effective water supply and consistent water quality by leveraging current understanding and technology.