AWWA CO50839

Untreated water aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) is envisioned as a vital regional storage mechanism in central and southern Florida. Currently, treated water storage is the primary application of ASR technology in Florida and other regions; therefore,significant experience on the construction and operation of treated water ASR has been gathered. The next challenge facing water resource professionals, both in Florida and other areas, is the application of regional untreated water ASR. The scale of the proposed untreated water ASR facilities is unprecedented, with a total of over 320 ASR wells, and a total capacity of 1,665 million gallons per day. Locations of the proposed ASR facilities are scattered across central and southern Florida, with the primary focus on storing excess water from Lake Okeechobee, the largest lake in the region. Untreated water ASR technology, if proven viable, would be implemented over the next 50 years. In the meantime, the permitting of pilot ASR facilities at several sites in south Florida has begun. Results from these pilot projects will be used to determine the potential contribution of ASR technology to the water resources of central and southern Florida. Includes tables, figures.