The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) has approved a new set of best suggested practices (BSPs) for groundwater professionals involved in aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) projects.

This condensed guide explains the processes and considerations for an ASR system and its implementation. ASR is one facet of managed aquifer recharge that involves using the aquifer as a storage bank from which water can be recovered later for drinking, irrigation and other purposes. Systems implementing ASR have been employed around the country as a method to sustain water reserves.

Topics included in the BSP are:

• Overview of ASR
• Planning, phased implementation and project scaling
• Components of an ASR system
• Source water
• Receiving aquifer characteristics
• Drilling methods, well design and construction
• Monitoring an ASR system
• Evaluating system performance
• Regulatory and policy requirements
• Stakeholder involvement

The BSPs were developed through consensus of groundwater professionals with daily experience in ASR system design and operation. NGWA’s Best Suggested Practices for Aquifer Storage and Recovery was conceptualized in 2010.

The final document was recently approved by the board of directors and is available as a PDF through NGWA’s online bookstore.

NGWA is a nonprofit that supports responsible development, management and use of water resources. It’s comprised of groundwater professionals ranging from contractors to equipment manufacturers to scientists and engineers. For more information, visit www.ngwa.org/Professional-Resources/bsp/Pages/default.aspx.