According to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey, the quality of Wichita’s water supply has not substantially changed as a result of activities to recharge the Equus Beds aquifer, one of the primary water sources for Wichita.
In order to meet increasing water demands, the city implemented the Equus Beds Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) project in 2007. The project includes pumping water out of the Little Arkansas River, when it's flowing more than usual, and treating it using drinking-water quality standards. The water is then recharged into the aquifer for later use. The residuals from that process, or what is removed from the water, are then returned to the river downstream of the treatment facility.
Both the city of Wichita and the USGS have been studying the effects of this type of storage and recovery on overall water quality. No significant differences have been found between the quality of the Little Arkansas River upstream and downstream of the treatment facility.
“This study shows that most of the small changes observed in surface and groundwater quality were largely governed by streamflow and precipitation, rather than activities related to the City of Wichita’s aquifer storage and recovery efforts,” said Scott Macey, City of Wichita Water Resource Engineer. “Understanding the condition of water resources adjacent to the recovery project allows Wichita to make informed water planning decisions.”
More information on USGS' efforts related to defining and understanding water quantity and quality of the Equus Beds aquifer is available on the USGS Kansas Water Science Center website.
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