The primary adaptive strategies to drought are to store water, diversify water sources, and reduce local water demands through conservation. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) of reclaimed water (treated sewage effluent) can be an integral component of the former two adaptive options. Storage of excess available reclaimed water in aquifers can achieve multiple benefits including creation of a strategic water reserve that could be tapped during droughts, elimination of adverse impacts associated with wastewater disposal, reduction of demands on higher quality freshwater resources, and improvement in reclaimed water through natural contaminant attenuation processes. MAR can help to enhance reclaimed water use through providing a more reliable and higher quality irrigation or industrial supply source. MAR options include aquifer storage and recovery, aquifer recharge through land application, and salinity barrier systems. In the case of salinity barrier systems, reclaimed water MAR can provide protection to fresh groundwater potable supplies. Public health can be protected by hyper-treatment of reclaimed water, which involves multiple additional treatment steps including reverse osmosis. However, the great costs of hyper-treatment makes it unviable in developing countries. Public safety can alternatively be protected by locating reclaimed MAR systems (both geographically and in the choice of aquifers) so that potable water supplies will not be impacted (i.e., indirect potable reuse will not occur). Aquifer characterization and groundwater modeling are critical for determining the fate and transport of any contaminants remaining in reclaimed water. Public outreach and education are also important for gaining public confidence and acceptance of wastewater reuse. MAR f reclaimed water can be a safe tool for creating a robust integrated water supply that can accommodate variations in the water supply such as drought conditions.

The primary adaptive strategies to drought are to store water, diversify water sources, and reduce local water demands through conservation. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) of reclaimed water (treated sewage effluent) can be an integral component of the former two adaptive options. Storage of exce...