Enhanced Aquifer Recharge Performance and Potential Risk in Different Regional and Hydrogeologic Settings Request For Applications (RFA)
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OVERVIEW INFORMATION
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Science Advisor, Policy and Engagement
Office of Research and Development
Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Program
ENHANCED AQUIFER RECHARGE PERFORMANCE AND POTENTIAL RISK IN DIFFERENT REGIONAL AND HYDROGEOLOGIC SETTINGS
This is the initial announcement of this funding opportunity.
Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-G2022-STAR-J1
Assistance Listing Number: 66.509
Solicitation Opening Date: September 16, 2022
Solicitation Closing Date: November 9, 2022: 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time
One of the high-priority research areas identified by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD) and the National Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP) is to establish best practices for enhanced aquifer recharge including the use of impaired sources of water. Under the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act, the responsibility for ensuring public water systems provide safe drinking water is divided among EPA, states, tribal nations, water systems and the public (U.S. EPA 2022). The WRAP was developed in collaboration with federal, state, tribal, local, and water sector partners to build technical, financial, and institutional capacity for communities to drive progress on water reuse practices. This research is relevant to WRAP action 7.4 on increasing the understanding of current aquifer storage and recovery practices.
Groundwater overdraft can lead to many issues that impact water quality and water security, including lowering of the water table, saltwater intrusion, and aquifer compaction. Enhanced aquifer recharge (EAR) can be an important strategy to augment water supplies and improve water security by restoring overdrawn aquifers (enhancing water quantity/storage) or saline aquifers (enhancing water quality) (Ross and Hasnain 2018). For the purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA), EAR is defined as the intentional recharge of aquifers where more recharge occurs than would otherwise be expected through natural processes alone. EAR can be used synonymously with managed aquifer recharge (MAR) and can involve the use of recycled 3 municipal wastewater through indirect potable reuse. While an active topic of research for many years, significant knowledge gaps remain concerning “best practices” in the design, siting, performance (hydrologic and water quality), longevity, maintenance, and monitoring of EAR in different land use and hydrogeologic settings. A better understanding of these areas will assist communities throughout the United States in evaluating whether and how to invest in safe and sustainable EAR strategies for enhancing water supplies, protecting water quality, maintaining aquatic ecosystems, reducing land subsidence, avoiding sea water intrusion, and other end goals. EPA is issuing this RFA to advance the scientific and technical foundation of EAR. More specifically, research is requested to better understand fit for purpose and locally appropriate uses and risks of EAR using different source waters, with different end goals in diverse land use and hydrogeologic settings.