ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: In arid and semi-arid areas, water security for cities can be enhanced by substituting stormwater and reclaimed water (initially) for non-drinking uses of conventional potable supplies drawn from stressed catchments or aquifers. Intentional recharge of aquifers from these urban water sources has been practiced in two Australian cities: Adelaide and Perth. This is analogous to the unintentional recharge that occurs in most cities and demonstrates the capacity for aquifers to store and passively treat water on a sustainable basis. Research projects have been undertaken to define the changes in the quality of stored water and the sustainability of contaminant and pathogen attenuation processes, and thereby identify the highest valued uses of the recovered water. Key findings from two of these projects (Andrews Farm and Halls Head) are presented. With climate change, population growth and limits on yields of catchments and aquifers, sustainable sources of water are needed for cities. Aquifers, even saline ones, can have a role in improving the security of urban water supplies and increasing the value of uses of water from all sources.
