Indirect Potable Reuse

Groundwater replenishment is a type of indirect potable reuse (IPR) where wastewater–purified with an advanced treatment process–is recharged into the groundwater aquifer to replenish or augment the water supply. This strategy is commonly used to reduce groundwater overdraft and help increase water availability, especially in areas facing water scarcity or drought. IPR can help to manage seawater intrusion in coastal areas and reduce reliance on external water sources, making communities more resilient to drought and other water-related challenges.

M&A has provided hydrogeologic consulting services on several groundwater replenishment or IPR projects in California and Arizona to assist clients with augmenting drinking water supplies, mitigating seawater intrusion, and achieving groundwater sustainability.

Capabilities

• Investigating hydrogeologic conditions
• Planning and designing conceptual project
• Conducting groundwater flow and contaminant transport modeling
• Siting, designing, installing, and testing injection wells
• Destroying/abandoning inactive municipal wells
• Siting, designing, installing, and sampling monitoring wells
• Conducting tracer studies
• Permitting

photo credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz