A Review of Low-Impact Development Factors Affecting Managed Aquifer Recharge

Low-impact development (LID) technology for stormwater control has a number of forms, some of which relate to managed aquifer recharge to provide adequate safe water to communities. Stormwater collected through LID for managed aquifer recharge shifts water quantity and quality effects from surface waters to groundwater. Factors affecting quantity and quality of recharge influence and are influenced by state/local land development policy, state/local groundwater policy, regulation and codes and climate change effects, as well as pretreatment requirements. Groundwater quality effects of untreated stormwater infiltration by LID in a range of hydrogeologic settings are not well understood. Site selection for LID will include hydrogeologic considerations, onsite footprint and construction factors. Cost of the technology has a wide range of typically low-cost options. Lessons learned include: matching technology to hydrogeologic setting; state/local policy should serve to avoid hydraulic and pollutant effects, particularly high water impacts; representative groundwater monitoring adds safeguard to water supply; and LID systems designs should consider life cycle costing including vulnerable geology, not just low installation cost.