ABSTRACT
Access to groundwater may also provide the potential for supply augmentation as well as disposal, using the subsurface for water supply and as a sink for treated and untreated wastes. Furthermore, wells may be used to produce other substances of commercial value in addition to water. Costs of land or property entry, equipment positioning, permission for well installation and groundwater production must be considered in the cost of groundwater access. Aquifer recharge adds to water supply for the range of groundwater uses. Areas of natural infrastructure are often seen as having high near-term opportunity costs if not developed for residential, industrial or agricultural purposes. Access to the groundwater resource is the key to obtaining an economic groundwater supply. Use of available information about the groundwater at a site or adjacent sites and for existing nearby wells aid in the planning and design of a dewatering project and will help estimate costs.
