Unlocking the Potential of Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR)
MAR Approaches Across Demonstration Sites to Address Environmental and Socio-Economic Challenges
The current challenges posed by extreme events and climate variability present both a threat and an opportunity. Flood events, such as heavy seasonal rains, can serve as valuable sources of water that can be stored for future use or for providing environmental benefits, such as supporting ecosystems. Other Alternative Water Resources (AWRs), such as Treated Wastewater (TWW), also offer significant potential for water reuse.
Defined as the intentional recharge of water to aquifers for later recovery or environmental benefit (cf. Dillon, 2005), MAR offers promising support for climate adaptation and enhanced resilience of water supply systems (cf. “Making the Invisible Visible”, by the UNESCO-IHP initiative 2021). It is particularly relevant in addressing local challenges driven by climate variability, population growth, and increasing demand for food and water. MAR solutions aim to store water not only within a single hydrological year but also across multiple years, balancing wet and dry periods. MAR can play a crucial role in complementing surface water storage, which is often only feasible in regions with impermeable soils and significant elevation differences.
However, concerns – particularly regarding water quality and institutional reluctance to adopt new solutions – highlight the need for further research and evaluation of real-world MAR applications. Optimized and successful showcase examples are essential to build confidence and support the daily operations of water utilities, as well as to inform and guide decision-makers and policy planners.
Therefore, the objectives of the Communities of Practice (CoPs) are centered around three Demonstration Site (DS) implementation and validation across varied geographical, climatic, and operational contexts, with the following objectives:
- Demonstrate the practical effectiveness of innovative MAR technologies, enhancing water quality, optimizing infiltration rates, and increasing groundwater storage.
- Assess the economic and financial feasibility and performance of various MAR schemes.
- Involve stakeholders, beneficiaries, and CoP members in MAR-related decision-making, to boost social awareness, acceptance, and trust.
- Develop guidance for future MAR initiatives, based on lessons learned and best practices.
The progress achieved at the three DS showcase the adaptability and effectiveness of MAR solutions. From urban aquifers under pressure in Spain, to advanced wastewater treatment in Portugal, and agricultural water reuse on a Dutch island, each site demonstrates tailored MAR strategies that respond to local water challenges.
The results obtained so far confirm that MAR systems (from infiltration ponds and SAT-MAR to ASTR configurations) can significantly enhance groundwater availability and quality, optimize recharge operations, and improve resilience to climate-induced water stress. MARCLAIMED solutions will, eventually, provide strong, transferable evidence to guide water utilities, policy makers, and regulators in the broader adoption of MAR technologies to support sustainable water resource management in Europe and beyond.
