MARSURE – Hybrid Managed Aquifer recharge as an adaptation tool to ensure a resilient and sustainable groundwater management

The aim of the transnational research project MARSURE is to develop hybrid processes for Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR), whereby the focus lies on utilizing reclaimed water for this process. The hybrid approach combines pretreatment of the water to be infiltrated and subsequent hydraulically controlled infiltration into the groundwater body with an appropriate retention time (Figure 1). 

The hybrid process combination aims to create ideal conditions for retaining various Trace Organic Chemicals (TOrCs, e.g. antibiotic residues, industrial chemicals, biocides and pesticides, etc.) and other contaminants and biodegrading them during the retention time in the underground. The hybrid approach is intended to create a resilient option for utilizing various water resources for groundwater recharge, such as surface water influenced by wastewater treatment plant runoff, but also alternatives such as reused water or rainwater runoff. 

Various technologies (ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, ozonation, coagulation, flocculation, etc.) are tested in cooperation with the project partners in order to pretreat reused water. Subsequently, the effects of the pretreated water qualities on the biological degradation of pollutants during the subsequent MAR infiltration is analyzed with the help of column experiments. The most promising pretreatments will then be characterized in more detail (with regard to the microbiome, biodegradation pathways, transformation products of TOrCs, etc.). In addition, different bioaugmentation and biostimulation strategies will be tested to further improve the biodegradation of TOrCs during groundwater recharge. 

The focus of TUM within this project lies on testing and optimizing applications of hybrid MAR on a pilot and field scale.

The project duration is from April 2024 to March 2027.