Aquifer Storage and Recovery in Florida

Joseph L. Haberfeld, Professional Geologist

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Tallahassee, Florida

Approximately 49 sites are used for Aquifer Storage and Recovery operations in Florida. Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) is a process where water is injected into wells in order to store it in aquifers and is later recovered for beneficial use. Types of water stored in the subsurface are potable drinking water; surface water; ground water from other aquifers; and reclaimed water (treated municipal effluent). The 145 wells at the 49 ASR sites are in varying stages of development (permitting phase, well construction, test injection, and full operation). Unlike deep (Class I) injection wells where the purpose is simply disposal, the degree of success of an ASR project depends on the percentage of water recovered for later use. The primary factors affecting the ASR project success are the permeability characteristics of the storage zone; storage zone thickness; the effectiveness of the overlying confining interval; well construction techniques and well locations; and the salinity of the formation water in the storage aquifer. Water quality issues have been raised over microbiological and geochemical interactions in the storage zone and whether or not they might impact public health.