Managing Long-Term Groundwater Quality in the Food and Beverage Sector Using Managed Aquifer Recharge

The management of a catchment scale groundwater resource is an ongoing challenge in the food and beverage sector. Water bottling and public water supply facilities once located in relatively low-density, pristine catchments are now facing challenges associated with urban sprawl, rising food demands, and ultimately water intensive industries, such as agriculture.

Catchment land use practices is a key consideration for any industry reliant on a sustainable groundwater resource. The ongoing management of groundwater storage, water quality and levels should be at the forefront of any food and beverage facility. Adequate monitoring of local and regional groundwater and surface water environments and an in-depth understanding of industries operating within the groundwater catchment is key to managing the ongoing operation of these facilities.

Rising nitrate concentrations in groundwater linked to nutrient leaching from farming is a growing concern in the United Kingdom. Water bottlers, reliant on access to a high quality resource are now facing increasing operating costs due to source contamination and treatment. Various water bottlers have taken to Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) as a tool to manage shallow groundwater contamination and reduce operating costs. The benefits of MAR are widespread and could become increasingly necessary in the future.