Wichita’s ASR Program: Protecting and Conserving the Region’s Water Resources

     The 1,400 square-mile Equus Beds aquifer is a primary water source for 425,000 city of Wichita, KS water customers. Water levels in the aquifer have declined up to 40 feet in some areas, resulting in a threat of saltwater intrusion originating from both natural and industrial sources.  To remediate depleted water levels, and to prevent a further decline in water quality, the city of Wichita initiated development of a 100 million gallons per day (mgd) Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) program.

      Development of an ASR Program in the Equus Beds aquifer not only provides a reliable water supply for its customers, but also reverses the trend of declining water levels and water quality in the Equus Beds aquifer, benefiting all well users in the area. The city’s ASR Program is anticipated to be completed in four phases.  Currently, the ASR Program is in Phase II a 30 mgd ASR project anticipated to be completed and commissioned the 3^rd quarter of 2011.    

     Phase II of the ASR Program is designed and constructed to divert 30 mgd of above base flow from the Little Arkansas River.  Diverted water is treated to primary drinking water quality standards utilizing pre-sedimentation and ultrafiltration membranes and advanced oxidation processes (AOP).  Treated water is than distributed to the city’s wellfield and recharged utilizing 30 recharge and recovery wells.  ASR Phase II included the construction of a 60 mgd river intake, a 30 mgd surface water treatment plant, a substation, ~31 miles of pipelines, ~40 miles of overhead power lines, and 30 recharge and recovery wells.  

     The ASR Program is a multi-faceted program that impacts a wide range of stakeholders, both within the Equus Beds and the customers of the city.  Recharging the aquifer will protect water quality and provide a source of stored water for future use.