From: | peter strauss <pstrauss@igc.apc.org> |
Date: | Fri, 26 Mar 1999 17:31:02 -0800 (PST) |
Reply: | cpeo-military |
Subject: | Re: Ground-Water Treatment Wastes Valuable Resources |
Armando, Unforunately, your situation is not unique. Many of the large Superfund sites - East Coast and West Coast - discharge treated groundwater to surface waters. Sometimes the options for making good use of this water are very limited. In the following paragraph, there are four options as I see it. They all depend on site specific conditions, and I would suggest that the RAB ask the Air Force some questions about what kind of studies it has done to make a more efficient use of this water. First, the treated water could be used to supplement potable water supplies. I find this very unattractive. There are those who would argue with this point. But a recent referendum in Tucson eliminated re-use of treated water as a possibility. Second, the water could be re-used to supplement non-potable supplies. This could mean using treated water to irrigate golf courses and nurseries, using it for a "gray water system", and using it for construction and watering erosion control plantings. Unfortunately, in many cases I have seen, these options are limited. But it is certainly worth promoting. Third, as you queried, is the concept of re-injection. I support this option wherever it is feasible. Unfortunately, in many instances, re-injection is not technically feasible because of the hydrogeology of the site. Fourth, is the concept of discharging the treated water to surface streams. While this appears very wasteful at first blush, those streams may to some degree actually recharge the aquifer, thus achieving the the same benefit as re-injection. Again, this is site specific. Peter Strauss | |
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