New Path To Permitting Aquifer Storage And Recovery Systems In Florida

For years, regulatory issues surrounding mobilization of arsenic in groundwater have stymied development of new aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) systems in Florida. Introduction of oxygenated water during the ASR recharge cycle can dissolve small amounts of arsenic and mobilize it in groundwater within the storage zone around the production wells causing exceedance of the drinking water standard for arsenic in groundwater. Monitoring data show that arsenic mobilization tends to be limited to short distances from the ASR production well, making it a manageable situation where the ASR entity has ownership or control of surrounding land. These data provide support for the track pursued by the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority (Authority) for the permitting of its ASR system, and a potential remedy to the regulatory barrier to future ASR development in Florida.

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