Artifical Recharge of Ground Water in Colorado

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Artificial Recharge of Ground Water in Colorado A Statewide Assessment This study discusses several aspects important to the understanding of artificial recharge potential in Colorado, including • the various artificial recharge technologies available; • the application of artificial recharge in other states and countries; • the present practice of artificial recharge in Colorado; and • the physical suitability of various aquifers, abandoned mines, and caves to store water. The suitability of an aquifer to store water is not the only consideration involved in a successful artificial recharge project. Two other factors are crucial: available water supply for recharge and a supportive legal policy. This report does not address either water supply or legal structure in a comprehensive manner, but does touch on these factors because they bear on the implementation of any potential artificial recharge project. The Colorado Water Conservation Board is in the midst (2003 -04) of the Statewide Water Supply Initiative, a study that will help address both of these factors. Artificial recharge is most commonly implemented on a local basis, primarily by individual water districts. Development of an artificial recharge project can take years to accomplish between the initial concept and full -scale implementation. The process requires interdisciplinary data gathering and research to determine applicability and design criteria. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recently established a set of standard guidelines to develop, operate, and maintain a project for artificial recharge of ground water (ASCE, 2001). The phased progression as outlined by ASCE is as follows: Phase I— Preliminary activities: • Data collection and organization, resource evaluation (including identification of source water alternatives), alternative site evaluation, and preliminary studies; and • Conceptual plan development, environmental assessment, and public involvement Phase II —Field investigation and test program Phase III — Design: • Preliminary design, public involvement, engineering reports; and • Final design, draft final report, public hearings, response to comments, and final report Phase IV— Construction and start up Phase V— Operation, maintenance, project review, and project modification Phase VI Closure This study represents only the beginning of Phase I activities in this process. It includes data collection and organization, alternate site evaluation, and preliminary studies on a statewide basis. Not included in this investigation, yet an important part of Phase I, are evaluation of potential source -water supplies, development of a detailed conceptual plan, environmental assessments, and public involvement. These activities and additional data gathering are best done by local entities when a specific local project is identified. The results of this study provide the scientific background for the development of underground water storage in Colorado. It provides the foundation for the development of a conceptual plan, site - specific field investigation, and the construction of a pilot test program. 2