California Agriculture
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Recycled water could recharge aquifers in the Central Valley

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Authors

Sarah P. Gerenday, UC Santa Barbara and EKI Environment & Water
Debra Perrone, UC Santa Barbara
Jordan F. Clark, UC Santa Barbara
Nicola Ulibarri, UC Irvine

Publication Information

California Agriculture 77(2):63-73. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2023a0005

Published online July 06, 2023

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Abstract

Drawing out too much groundwater, or overdrafting, is a serious problem in California. As a result, groundwater sustainability agencies are considering using recycled municipal wastewater to recharge aquifers. In our study, we employ suitability mapping and the models C2VSimFG and Ichnos to identify appropriate areas for managing aquifer recharge with recycled water in California's Central Valley. The factors that influence suitability include soil properties, proximity to recycled water sources, and the residence time, or amount of time that recharged water spends underground. There are many suitable areas in the Central Valley that are immediately adjacent to water recycling facilities. However, adequate supply is an issue in most locations. Roughly half of the groundwater sustainability agencies in critically overdrafted basins of the Central Valley have enough potentially suitable locations to meet their recharge goals, but not all of them have access to enough recycled water. The methods demonstrated here can serve as tools for agencies considering using recycled water for aquifer recharge.

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Recycled water could recharge aquifers in the Central Valley

Sarah P. Gerenday, Debra Perrone, Jordan F. Clark, Nicola Ulibarri
Webmaster Email: sjosterman@ucanr.edu

Recycled water could recharge aquifers in the Central Valley

Share using any of the popular social networks Share by sending an email Print article
Share using any of the popular social networks Share by sending an email Print article

Authors

Sarah P. Gerenday, UC Santa Barbara and EKI Environment & Water
Debra Perrone, UC Santa Barbara
Jordan F. Clark, UC Santa Barbara
Nicola Ulibarri, UC Irvine

Publication Information

California Agriculture 77(2):63-73. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2023a0005

Published online July 06, 2023

PDF  |  Citation  |  Permissions

Author Affiliations show

Abstract

Drawing out too much groundwater, or overdrafting, is a serious problem in California. As a result, groundwater sustainability agencies are considering using recycled municipal wastewater to recharge aquifers. In our study, we employ suitability mapping and the models C2VSimFG and Ichnos to identify appropriate areas for managing aquifer recharge with recycled water in California's Central Valley. The factors that influence suitability include soil properties, proximity to recycled water sources, and the residence time, or amount of time that recharged water spends underground. There are many suitable areas in the Central Valley that are immediately adjacent to water recycling facilities. However, adequate supply is an issue in most locations. Roughly half of the groundwater sustainability agencies in critically overdrafted basins of the Central Valley have enough potentially suitable locations to meet their recharge goals, but not all of them have access to enough recycled water. The methods demonstrated here can serve as tools for agencies considering using recycled water for aquifer recharge.

Full text

Full text is available in PDF.

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