ABSTRACT
Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) offers opportunities for both government and the private sector to increase management options for better use and reuse of water resources. It has been used to restore saline aquifers and assist in replacing or enhancing irrigation water supplies. ASR research and development in South Australia has been unique because it has focussed on the injection, storage and recovery of poorer quality water such as stormwater, stream-water and reclaimed water. Investigations are underway that may lead to storage of 14 Mm3/yr of reclaimed water in aquifers underlying the horticulture and viticulture areas north and south of Adelaide. Currently, over 25 ASR projects are in operation, under development or being investigated, with the intention in most cases of using stormwater and/or reclaimed water for irrigation. This paper summarizes some of the activities in South Australia and comments on well construction, clogging, aquifer hydraulics and other related issues.
