Aquifer Storage & Recovery Projects Utah Water Users Workshop March 18, 2014 Kurt Vest, P.E. Region Engineer
Groundwater Recharge and Recovery Act Enacted 1991 General Session
Artificially Recharge Place water in an aquifer by means of: –Injection; –Surface infiltration; or –Another method For the purpose of: –Storing the water; and –Recovering the water.
Prohibitions A person may not artificially recharge an aquifer without first obtaining a recharge permit. A person may not recover from an aquifer water that has been artificially recharged unless the person first obtains a recovery permit.
Water Right for Recharged Water A person proposing to artificially recharge water into an aquifer must have: –A valid water right for the water proposed to be recharged; or –An agreement to use the water proposed to be recharged with a person who has a valid water right.
Recoverable Water A person may recover the amount of water stored by the recharge project which: –Has reached the aquifer; and –Remains within the hydrologic area of influence.
Storage account—Monitoring and reporting required. Any person holding a groundwater recharge or recovery permit shall: –Monitor the operation of the project; and –File reports with the state engineer regarding: The quantity of water stored and recovered; and The water quality of the recharged water, receiving aquifer, and recovered water.