The development of a managed aquifer recharge project with recycled water for Chihuahua, Mexico

Abstract

The groundwater supply of the city of Chihuahua, Mexico, is currently unsustainable: demand exceeds replenishment in this area of relatively low precipitation and periodic droughts. The Chihuahua basin hydrologic analysis reflects only two areas of opportunity to increase water supply: water reuse and managed aquifer recharge with treated wastewater. This paper presents the results of project studies carried out by the Institute of Engineering of the UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México—National Autonomous University of Mexico) to define the best method for managed aquifer recharge (MAR) with treated wastewater and to identify suitable locations. The work was conducted in accordance with the Mexican guidelines for aquifer recharge with treated wastewater (NOM-014; CONAGUA NOM-014-Requisitos para la recarga artificial de acuíferos con agua residual tratada, 2007) and includes geophysical surveys and unsaturated zone modeling to design a pilot test for intermittent infiltration which will subsequently inform the feasibility and design of a large scale system to recharge 25 Mm3/year.