Leaking pipes, landscape over-irrigation, and other activities increase recharge in urban areas built to standard specifications. Implementing LID standards has the potential to significantly increase groundwater recharge above what naturally occurs. Recognition of the increased recharge needs to become standard practice in our policies on locating new development, and in our attitudes towards primary recharge zones.
Often legislation fails to acknowledge recharge increases resulting from urbanization; and county general plans can misguidedly attempt to protect primary recharge zones from all activities as a method of promoting recharge. The goal of policies and regulations regarding primary recharge zones should be maximizing recharge, not leaving them in a natural state. To achieve this we must take the following actions
- Define primary recharge zones as areas that directly supply productive aquifers rather than by soil types or exiting recharge. Primary recharge zones are ones that may not currently have significant recharge, but would provide a significant recharge benefit if they were managed to maximize recharge.
- Estimate the current recharge rates and recharge potential of all basin areas by accounting for all water sources. Many areas covered with natural vegetation will have relatively low recharge compared to developed areas.
- Coordinate between county planners and groundwater managers to maximize recharge in primary recharge zones. This may include building low impact developments or dedicated recharge structures in primary recharge areas.
- Site new developments, particularly those built to LID standards, to maximize aquifer recharge.
