The Water for a Healthy Country Flagship is conducting research into managed aquifer recharge to add recycled water to underground aquifers.
Project summary
Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) has been identified as a potential major water source for Western Australia for the future. MAR involves adding a water source such as recycled water to underground aquifers under controlled conditions.
Current activities
An A$3 million project is investigating the different aquifers across the Swan Coastal Plain in Western Australia that may be used for MAR schemes. Current research projects include:
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a three-year pilot research project trialling the infiltration of recycled water to the Superficial Aquifer in Perth, based at CSIRO’s Floreat headquarters and using treated wastewater supplied from the Water Corporation’s Subiaco Wastewater Treatment Plant
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the Halls Head indirect reuse project, investigating water quality improvements associated with using infiltration ponds and the feasibility of using covered infiltration galleries
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Kwinana Wastewater Reclamation Plant, investigating the impact of high quality, low salt water produced by the plant on aquifer material sourced from the Gnangara Mound.
Partners
The MAR project is a partnership between the Water for a Healthy Country Flagship and the Water Corporation in association with:
Managed aquifer recharge has been identified as a potential major water source for Western Australia for the future.
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Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia
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The University of Western Australia, Perth
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Chemistry Centre (WA), Perth,
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Centre for Groundwater Studies, Perth.
The project is supported by the Western Australian State Government through the Premier’s Water Foundation.
Outcomes
The research project will help define the appropriateness of aquifer recharge and pre-treatment requirements for MAR in the Superficial Aquifer in Western Australia.
The project outcomes will also enable government regulators to develop more rigorous guidelines and will advance water recycling as a reliable alternative for safe new supplies of water.
CSIRO staff
The CSIRO team is involved in thorough investigation into the environmental and health risks, operational and technical requirements, economic considerations and social acceptability of managed aquifer recharge programs.
The team’s project leader is Dr Simon Toze and team members include:
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Dr Elise Bekele
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Dr Jatinder Sidhu
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Mr Simon Higginson.
The social research team consists of:
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Ms Blair Nancarrow
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Miss Zoe Leviston
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Ms Natasha Porter
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Dr Geoff Syme
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Ms Murno Po
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Ms Juliane Kaercher.
Read more about managed aquifer recharge.
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