Managed Aquifer Recharge Portal (2018)

Detailed Description

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) represents a viable method for sustainable water management. Over the past two centuries, MAR was successfully implemented worldwide for various purposes: maximize natural storage, water quality management, physical aquifer treatment, management of water distribution systems and ecological benefits. Although many hydrogeologists are now aware of the advantages of MAR, the majority of organisations involved in decision making on new water supplies are not. Previously MAR has sometimes been seen as an emerging technology, innovative, but risky and unreliable for water supply systems. However, the present inventory demonstrates the applicability of MAR schemes in various climate zones and under diverse hydrogeological conditions, promoting the use of MAR for water supply expansion, water security increase and improvement of water quality.

The selection of most suitable locations for MAR may not always be straightforward. Regional MAR suitability maps are collected and shared within this portal. Specialists are encouraged to share regional maps indicating MAR suitability to improve accessibility of this information and provide guidance for MAR suitability.

This viewer provides a global overview of MAR suitability maps and MAR case studies and their relevant parameters. Available layers include information on site name, MAR type, year of scheme deployment, the source of infiltration water, the final use of abstracted water, as well as the main objectives of the project. The data shown in this portal have been made available by INOWAS (TU Dresden, Germany and funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research) and the DEMEAU project (European Union FP7 project consortium). More information on the Global MAR Inventory project and its partners can be found on https://www.un-igrac.org or contact IGRAC at info@un-igrac.org