Stormwater Quality Review to Evaluate Treatment for Drinking Water Supply via Managed Aquifer Recharge

To date, there is no compiled information for stormwater quality data intended for drinking water supply via managed aquifer recharge (MAR) making risk assessment of these schemes difficult. This study compiles hazards relevant to water recycling via MAR and calculates the associated 95th percentile values. The 95th percentiles of iron, turbidity, colour and faecal indicators exceeded the guideline values at all sites. Likewise, measured hazards for which 95th percentile values met drinking water guidelines (other metals (e.g. zinc), salinity (electrical conductivity) and nutrients including nitrate) did so at all sites. Considering a variety of climatic zones and catchment characteristics and the temporal variations typical in urban stormwater quality, there was a remarkable similarity in the 95th percentile concentrations for a suite of water quality hazards in urban stormwater. This is important in consideration of drinking water risk assessments and determining treatment requirements for potable use.