The issue will feature articles and research on managed aquifer recharge and its growing impact on sustaining water supplies.

(WESTERVILLE, OH — September 14, 2022) The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) announced a special issue of its research publication Groundwater® will be published this week focusing on advances and research in the field of managed aquifer recharge (MAR).

NGWA describes MAR as, “the purposeful recharge of water to aquifers for subsequent recovery or for environmental benefit.” The practice, while not new, has seen an increase in popularity in recent years, and is expected to increase MAR applications further as much of the world struggles to maintain sufficient water levels during this new normal of prolonged droughts and related aquifer depletion.

The special issue was developed to highlight current practices, raise awareness of new technology, and highlight success stories and lessons learned from previous MAR studies and projects. It will feature guest editorials, columns, and research articles from leading groundwater scientists on such topics as MAR and water recycling, the economics of MAR projects, applied geophysics for MAR, and current regulations in developing MAR projects.

“Managed aquifer recharge is increasingly recognized as a valuable and necessary method for assuring the sustainability of groundwater resources and resiliency of water supplies,” said Dr. Lenny Konikow, editor-in-chief of Groundwater. “We hope this issue will prove useful in highlighting the recent success of MAR projects and help map its future in creating sustainable water supplies throughout the world.”

NGWA has long been involved in MAR advocacy and research, including forming a permanent MAR working group and lobbying for increased federal funding for MAR projects across the country.

“Our farms, our homes, and our communities, all depend greatly on the work being done to advance the science and increase the application of managed aquifer recharge,” said NGWA Board member and guest-editor of this special issue of Groundwater Tim Parker, PG, CEG, CHG. “I’m excited this issue of Groundwater will play a role in that work and would like to thank everyone involved in its development and publication.”

For further comment or for more information, please contact Ben Frech at bfrech@ngwa.org.

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The National Ground Water Association is a not-for-profit professional society and trade association for the global groundwater industry. Our members around the world include leading public and private sector groundwater scientists, engineers, water well system professionals, manufacturers, and suppliers of groundwater-related products and services. The Association’s vision is to be the leading groundwater association advocating for responsible development, management, and use of water.