Aquifer Storage Recovery (ASR) is a method of groundwater recharge where surface water is directly injected into the aquifer for storage through an ASR-specific well, stored, and pumped out for use at a later time. Water pumped into ASR wells can come from various water sources, , however local ASR is focused on potable water injection to preserve the health of the aquifer.
ASR provides water supply reliability and supports stabilizing and recovering groundwater level declines. The ASR Planning program involves the diversion and transport of surplus Russian River water produced at existing drinking water production facilities during wet weather (winter and spring) conditions. The surplus water would be pumped into through the ASR well for storage in the deep aquifer system of the basin. The stored water would then be available for subsequent recovery and use during dry weather conditions (summer and fall) or emergency situations.
Sustainable Groundwater Implementation grant-funded ASR planning will include:
- Close coordination, monitoring support, and supplemental data analysis for Sonoma Water’s ongoing ASR efforts.
- Updating the Groundwater Banking feasibility study.
The updated Groundwater Banking Feasibility Study will include an update of source water availability and transmission system capacity assumptions, an assessment of locations/operations that benefit Groundwater Sustainability Plan implementation, an evaluation of long-term costs and benefits, and funding/financing options.
