157 Exploring Groundwater Recharge and Management: Managed Aquifer Recharge and Other Innovative Tools for Water Supply Development and Operations

Growing demand for water has highlighted the need to understand aquifer recharge to improve groundwater management and production methods. This session explores groundwater recharge and innovative water supplies and infrastructure. Topics include evapotranspiration, vadose zone processes, brackish groundwater desalination, managed aquifer recharge, stormwater management, and others.

Tuesday, 21 October 2025
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
HBGCC, 209

Sustainable Water Solutions: Assessing the Suitability of the Hueco Bolson for ASR and AR Projects Using Municipal Reclaimed Water

Paper number: 157-3
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:40 AM – 8:55 AM

Authors

Abstract

Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) utilizes injection wells for the storage and subsequent recovery of water within an aquifer for beneficial use, and aquifer recharge (AR) is the intentional recharge of an aquifer by injection well or other means of infiltration. These types of projects may be used to help meet the growing water demands of the Lower Valley Water District (LVWD) in southern El Paso County, Texas. This location is arid and characterized by scarce water resources, making treated reclaimed water the most viable water supply for a potential recharge project. This study examined the hydrogeological characteristics of the geological units within the Hueco Bolson aquifer to determine if an ASR or AR project using reclaimed water could be viable.

The lowermost units within the study area are the Paleozoic-Mesozoic units that underlie the Hueco Bolson. The top of these marine carbonates ranges from 200 to over 4,000 feet below ground surface, which makes AR impractical. Few wells have been drilled to this depth, but available data shows most flow likely occurs within faults and fractures, making them poorly suited for ASR as well. Overlying these marine units are the poorly consolidated Miocene-Pleistocene Fort Hancock and Camp Rice formations. The Fort Hancock Formation is composed of gravel, sand, and clay alluvial-fan deposits. The younger Camp Rice Formation is primarily sand and gravel braided stream deposits. The unique semi-confined nature of these deposits makes them the best candidates for AR projects within the study area. However, the high iron content and unconsolidated nature of these units has the potential to complicate injection well operations for ASR. Injection wells used by the City of El Paso at similar depths have had mechanical failures due to screen clogging.

Surficial deposits include the Rio Grande alluvium and several gravel and eolian units. These unconfined units are heavily utilized for both agriculture and industry and are therefore affected by multiple cones of depression. Any water from an infiltration basin will likely move rapidly toward the underlying Paleozoic-Mesozoic units. The surficial units could be utilized by an AR project, but their unconfined characteristics make them unsuitable for ASR. The results of this study show that an AR project that utilizes reclaimed water could be a viable option for the LVWD.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-412165

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