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<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />Artificial Recharge of Ground Water in Colorado <br />A Statewide Assessment <br /> <br />Like abandoned mines, natural cave systems consist of subsurface void space that may be <br />suitable for underground water storage. Colorado contains a few hundred caves scattered <br />throughout the mountainous western part ofthe state. Like mines, the ability to maintain <br />hydraulic control of injected water in carbonate cave systems presents an engineering hurdle. <br />Land ownership, environmental issues, and access to the cave systems are also critical <br />considerations. <br /> <br />General AR Technologv Design Considerations <br />Each type of AR technology comes with its own set of efficiency considerations, advantages, and <br />disadvantages, as well as potential benefits that must be considered to make an informed system <br />design. Considerations include: 1) project objectives, 2) hydrogeologic conditions ofthe site, 3) <br />source water considerations, 4) available land surface area and land-use patterns, 5) capital cost <br />to construct, 6) operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, and 7) general storage efficiency issues <br />such as evaporation losses. Table IV -1 lists advantages and limitations of each technology and <br />provides examples of applications in Colorado. <br /> <br />One of the most compelling advantages of incorporating AR in a water management plan is <br />adaptability. AR can be installed in a phased manner that can translate to vastly reduced costs. <br />Design can be modified as phases progress based on experience, advances in technology, and <br />changes in objectives. This is in sharp contrast to many surface-water storage facilities that may <br />need to be constructed for full capacity at completion. <br /> <br />Additional benefits of using AR as part of a water supply utility include: <br />. Maximizing use of infrastructure during periods of low demand - Water treatment <br />and distribution systems are designed to meet peak demands. During periods of low <br />demand, which often correspond to periods of high supply of the natural water <br />resource, these infrastructure facilities are underutilized. The infrastructure can be <br />utilized during periods of low demand to implement AR. <br /> <br />. Enhance welljield production - Implementation of AR and restoration of ground- <br />water levels allows wells to produce at higher rates during peak demand months. The <br />injection and recovery cycles in ASR wells can even increase well development for <br />greater well efficiency. <br /> <br />. System capital cost deferral - Implementation of AR produces more efficient use of <br />existing water system treatment and conveyance capacity throughout the year and life <br />of the facility, which means that expansion of water facilities can be deferred and <br />downsized with substantial cost savings. <br /> <br />. Maintain distribution system pressure - Recovery of stored water in conjunction with <br />small elevated or ground storage tanks can alleviate seasonal low pressure issues <br />during peak demand months. <br /> <br />. Commercial/industrial temperature control - Seasonal source water temperature <br />variability can be mitigated by recovering and blending AR water to meet process <br />temperature control requirements such as fish hatcheries or industrial cooling. <br /> <br />24 <br />