Developments in Artificial Ground Water Recharge in the United States: Task Group Report

Abstract

Artificial groundwater recharge practices in the United States were again the subject of a biennial questionnaire circulated in 1959 by Task Group 2440 R‐Artificial Groundwater Recharge. Replies were received from all states and the District of Columbia. Respondents included groundwater representatives of USGS, state sanitary engineers, and state water control and conservation agencies. The task group has also studied legislation affecting artificial groundwater recharge and all available literature issued since its previous report. Recent developments as indicated by the answers to the 1959 questionnaire include the following: large volumes of water are being used to replenish groundwater by artificial means; interest in artificial recharge continues unabated, as evidenced by the initiation of additional experimental projects and inquiry into fundamental principles of recharge; interest has increased in the economics of artificial recharge as a water supply method; and, interest in operating data for recharge projects has increased. National and state legislation, salt water intrusion, reclamation of sewage effluents, new projects, and past studies are all discussed.