If an aquifer becomes contaminated or overdrawn, then the
people, animals, and plants living on top of it are in serious trouble. We know that it is important for groundwater
to be recharged through natural means like rain and snow, but is it possible
for humans to help put the aquifer back in its original condition?
It is! We do this through a process called Aquifer
Restoration. This process is done usually by the utilities department of cities
and towns or by Natural Resources Districts.
Many people including engineers, data analysts, well drillers, and
geologists have to work together to make the groundwater safe again.
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| Nitrate Concentration Map for Hastings, NE 2015 Credit: Hastings Utilities |
Let’s take a look at Hastings, Nebraska which is just
finishing up Phase 1 of their Aquifer Storage and Restoration Project.
Hastings’ water system gets most of their water from the
Ogallala and High Plains Aquifer and they do not currently treat, chlorinate,
or store their water but they have started to experience problems with
nitrates, volatile organic compounds, and uranium.
In order to continue to provide usable water,
Hastings’ Utilities team initiated the Aquifer Storage and Restoration (ASR)
project in 2016. They built dual pumping
wells which help clean up nitrates and uranium floating that the top of the
aquifer, a reservoir for managing irrigation, and are just beginning to
construct reverse osmosis treatment centers to help consolidate and remove
pollutants.
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| The reservoir holds enough water to fill 66 Olympic pools. Credit: Hastings Utilities |
Over the next few years, they plan to study recharge in the
area and investigate why groundwater recharges faster in some parts of the city
than in others. They are combining research
with restoration to make sure that their city has clean water and residents understand
the need for and purpose of the ASR project.
To learn more, check out Hastings Utilities website.
To learn more about groundwater and try your own aquifer restoration activity, visit The
Groundwater Foundation’s Groundwater Restoration website.
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