Remediating Impacted Ground Water at the Basin and Regional Scale

Wednesday, April 22, 2009: 2:40 p.m.
Agave Ballroom (Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort )
Nicole Sweetland, Ph.D. , Daniel B. Stephens & Associates Inc., Goleta, CA
Stephen J. Cullen, Ph.D. , Daniel B, Stephens & Associates Inc., Goleta, CA
The quality of water resources in the Southwest are threatened by a variety of potential contaminant issues in a variety of settings.  While in many cases the impacts of surficial releases of groundwater contaminants are constrained to perched water zones, several water quality issues have the potential to result in far-reaching effects to the water supply.

The authors explore wide-ranging groundwater impacts that have resulted from historical releases related to the production, use, and disposal of chemicals in manufacturing settings.  Remediation strategies and technologies implemented to protect the long-term sustainability of regional groundwater resources are discussed using the examples of perchlorate and chlorinated solvent releases.  Current and potentially future wide-ranging impacts to groundwater are also discussed in the context of contaminants associated with artificial recharge (AR), an aquifer replenishment strategy that is increasingly practiced on a large scale.  An example of the fate and transport of nitrate in an AR program is used to illustrate the chemical loading that potentially occurs in an aquifer replenishment program.  Lastly, the authors discuss a special situation that can influence the feasibility of implementing remedial strategies in a basin-scale setting.  An example of the implementation of a large-scale remediation system in an adjudicated water basin is given in the context of water rights issues.