Assessment of subsidence risk associated with aquifer storage and recovery in the Coastal Lowlands Aquifer System, Houston, Texas, USA
<p>In the Houston, Texas region, groundwater use is regulated by the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (District) because of historical regional subsidence from groundwater development. The District regulates groundwater production in the Coastal Lowlands Aquifer System (CLAS) to mitigate s...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2020-04-01
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| Series: | Proceedings of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences |
| Online Access: | https://www.proc-iahs.net/382/487/2020/piahs-382-487-2020.pdf |
| Summary: | <p>In the Houston, Texas region, groundwater use is
regulated by the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (District) because of
historical regional subsidence from groundwater development. The District
regulates groundwater production in the Coastal Lowlands Aquifer System
(CLAS) to mitigate subsidence through the implementation of District
Groundwater Regulatory Plan. The District has successfully reduced
groundwater pumping as a percent of demand regionally while controlling
subsidence through the implementation of alternative water supplies. Aquifer
Storage and Recovery (ASR) is an alternative water supply strategy that
provides a means to store water underground and increase water supply more
cost effectively than traditional storage expansion strategies. Groundwater
users in the District are interested in the many potential benefits of ASR
as a water supply strategy. Little is known about the potential effects on
compaction and land surface subsidence resulting from ASR operations.
Recognizing this, the District funded research on the potential subsidence
risk associated with ASR. Two hypothetical, though representative, ASR
projects were developed and analysed: (1) an industrial ASR project meant to
provide water supply during a drought of record (DOR), and (2) a municipal
ASR project designed to provide an annual municipal summer peaking water
supply. Simulations of groundwater hydraulics and subsidence were performed
at three potential locations within the CLAS to provide insight into
variability associated with location and aquifer depth. Theoretical
simulations confirmed the potential for subsidence associated with the
application of ASR in the CLAS, although operating an ASR for summer peaking
needs has less potential risk of subsidence than the DOR scenario in the
scenarios simulated. The study simulations provide insight into how an ASR
project may be designed and operated to minimize compaction and potential
subsidence. Based on this study, ASR operated to address summer peaking
showed the greatest potential to reduce additional compaction verses
sourcing all water from groundwater. This theoretical study provides a basis
for future research on subsidence associated with ASR and provides a
framework for consideration for the regulation of ASR within the District.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 2199-8981 2199-899X |