62-610.466. Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR)

(1) Aquifer storage and recovery of reclaimed water involves the following:

(a) Injection of reclaimed water into a subsurface formation for storage; and,

(b) Recovery of the stored reclaimed water for beneficial purposes at a later date.

(2) ASR can be an effective and environmentally sound approach to provision of storage for reclaimed water for reuse systems regulated under Part III of this chapter. ASR by itself does not constitute “reuse.” It is only when reclaimed water, which has been stored in an aquifer, is recovered and used for beneficial purposes that the reclaimed water is considered to be “reused.” ASR systems are considered components of the overall reuse system.

(3) ASR systems shall meet the technical and permitting requirements of the Department’s underground injection control program which are contained in Chapter 62-528, F.A.C., and shall obtain an underground injection control construction and operation permit, as appropriate, in addition to any permits required under Chapters 62-610 and 62-620, F.A.C.

(4) In the engineering report submitted with the initial application to implement an ASR system, the applicant shall provide an evaluation of the anticipated changes in the characteristics of the reclaimed water during the injection, storage, and recovery phases. In the engineering report, the applicant shall evaluate the need for additional treatment or disinfection upon recovery before introduction of the recovered water into system storage or the reuse system. The engineering report shall include an initial characterization of the ground water at the point of injection. The ground water characterization shall include analyses for all parameters for which ground water quality standards have been established in Chapter 62-520, F.A.C., and for fecal coliforms. The characterization of TDS at the point of injection is discussed in subparagraph 62-610.310(3)(c)9. and subsection 62-610.800(11), F.A.C.

(5) The water recovered from the aquifer storage and recovery system shall meet the performance standards for fecal coliforms as specified for high-level disinfection before use in a reuse system regulated under Part III of this chapter.

(6) Applications for permit renewals shall include an evaluation of the performance of the aquifer storage and recovery system. This shall include evaluations of monitoring data (including trends observed), any problems encountered, and any anticipated problems based on review of the monitoring trends. Existing and anticipated problems shall be addressed as described in subsection 62-610.466(17), F.A.C.

(7) Use of Class G-IV ground water.

(a) Wells may be used to inject reclaimed water into Class G-IV ground water for ASR if all of the following conditions in either subparagraph 1. or 2. are met:

1. Wells may be used to inject reclaimed water into Class G-IV ground water for ASR if all of the following conditions are met:

a. The reclaimed water meets all the preapplication treatment and disinfection criteria established in Part III of this chapter before injection.

b. Technical and permitting requirements in Chapter 62-528, F.A.C., are met.

2. Wells may be used to inject effluent into Class G-IV ground water for ASR if all of the following conditions are met:

a. The preapplication treatment criteria established in subsections 62-600.540(1) and (4), F.A.C., shall be met before injection.

b. Technical and permitting requirements in Chapter 62-528, F.A.C., are met.

c. The treatment and disinfection requirements in Part III of this chapter shall be met upon recovery of the water. Treatment and disinfection upon recovery shall include filtration and chemical feed facilities, as described in Rule 62-610.460, F.A.C., high-level disinfection, Class I reliability, operator attendance and staffing, operating protocol, reject storage, and monitoring requirements.

(8) Use of Class G-I or F-I ground water.

(a) Wells may be used to inject reclaimed water into Class G-I or F-I ground water for ASR if all of the following requirements are met:

1. The reclaimed water meets the full treatment and disinfection criteria established in Rule 62-610.563, F.A.C., for ground water recharge projects.

2. Technical and permitting requirements in Chapter 62-528, F.A.C., are met.

(b) Except as provided in subsection 62-610.466(17), F.A.C., additional treatment or disinfection shall not be required upon recovery of the reclaimed water.

(9) Use of Class G-II ground water containing 3000 mg/L or less of total dissolved solids.

(a) Wells may be used to inject reclaimed water into Class G-II ground water containing 3000 mg/L or less of total dissolved solids for ASR if all of the following conditions are met:

1. The reclaimed water meets the full treatment and disinfection criteria established in Rule 62-610.563, F.A.C., for ground water recharge projects.

2. Technical and permitting requirements in Chapter 62-528, F.A.C., are met.

(b) If the applicant provides an affirmative demonstration that the receiving ground water contains between 1,000 and 3,000 mg/L (inclusive) of total dissolved solids, is not currently used as a source of public water supply, and that the receiving ground water is not reasonably expected to be used for public water supply in the future, the preapplication treatment and disinfection requirements shall be as follows:

1. The principal treatment and disinfection requirements in Rule 62-610.563, F.A.C., shall apply, with the following modifications:

a. The parameters listed as primary drinking water standards shall be applied as maximum single sample permit limitations. The fecal coliform limitations associated with high-level disinfection shall not apply. The primary drinking water standards for asbestos and sodium shall not apply as reclaimed water limitations.

b. The secondary drinking water standards shall not be applied as reclaimed water limitations. As described in paragraph 62-610.466(14)(a), F.A.C., the ground water standard for sodium shall be met at the edge of the zone of discharge. As described in paragraph 62-610.466(14)(f), F.A.C., the ground water standards corresponding to the secondary drinking water standards shall be met at the edge of the extended zone of discharge.

c. The total nitrogen limit in paragraph 62-610.563(2)(c), F.A.C., shall not apply.

d. The extended zone of discharge shall not extend into zones having TDS concentrations less than 1000 mg/L (based on the initial TDS characterization in the initial engineering report and information submitted after the submittal of the initial engineering report).

(c) The provisions of paragraph 62-610.466(9)(b), F.A.C., shall only apply to receiving ground waters that are not used for public water supply within the following geographic limits (whichever provides for the largest horizontal distance):

1. Located within 1,000 feet radially (measured horizontally) from injection and recovery wells, or

2. Located within the radial extent (measured horizontally) of the extended zone of discharge plus an additional 500 feet radially (horizontally).

(d) Except as provided in subparagraph 62-610.466(12)(b)1., and subsection 62-610.466(17), F.A.C., additional treatment or disinfection shall not be required upon recovery of the reclaimed water.

(10) Use of Class G-II ground water containing greater than 3000 mg/L of total dissolved solids.

(a) Wells may be used to inject reclaimed water into Class G-II ground water containing greater than 3000 mg/L of total dissolved solids for ASR if all of the following conditions are met:

1. The principal treatment and disinfection requirements in Rule 62-610.563, F.A.C., shall apply, with the following modifications:

a. The parameters listed as primary drinking water standards shall be applied as maximum single sample permit limitations. The fecal coliform limitations associated with high-level disinfection shall not apply. The primary drinking water standards for asbestos and sodium shall not apply as reclaimed water limitations.

b. The secondary standards shall not be applied as reclaimed water limitations. As described in paragraph 62-610.466(14)(f), F.A.C., the ground water standard for sodium and the ground water standards corresponding to the secondary drinking water standards shall be met at the edge of the extended zone of discharge.

c. The total nitrogen limit in paragraph 62-610.563(2)(c), F.A.C., shall not apply.

d. The extended zone of discharge shall not extend into zones having TDS concentrations less than 3000 mg/L (based on the initial TDS characterization in the initial engineering report and information submitted after the submittal of the initial engineering report).

2. Technical and permitting requirements in Chapter 62-528, F.A.C., are met.

(b) Except as provided in subparagraph 62-610.466(12)(b)1., and subsection 62-610.466(17), F.A.C., additional treatment or disinfection shall not be required upon recovery of the reclaimed water.

(11) If an aquifer exemption pursuant to subsection 62-528.300(3), F.A.C., or a parameter exemption pursuant to Rule 62-520.500, F.A.C., has been obtained, the Department shall modify the discharge limitations in the permit to reflect the terms of the exemption.

(12) Monitoring.

(a) Reclaimed water shall be monitored before injection in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 62-600, F.A.C.

(b) Water recovered from the ASR system.

1. Except as provided in subparagraphs 62-610.466(12)(b)2. and 3., F.A.C., the reclaimed water recovered from the ASR system shall be monitored for TSS, and fecal coliforms at the same frequency specified in Chapter 62-600, F.A.C., for the treatment facility providing reclaimed water to the reuse system. CBOD5 shall be monitored monthly. If the reclaimed water withdrawn from an ASR system fails to meet the CBOD5, TSS, or fecal coliform limits established for a reuse project regulated under Part III of this chapter, the Department shall require that additional treatment or disinfection facilities be provided to ensure compliance with these limits. If the CBOD5 limits are not met, the Department shall increase the sampling frequency for CBOD5 to the level required in Chapter 62-600, F.A.C.

2. If the reclaimed water injected into the ASR system meets the full treatment and disinfection requirements in Rule 62-610.563, F.A.C., fecal coliforms shall be monitored monthly in the water recovered from the ASR system.

3. If additional treatment or disinfection is provided after recovery of the water from the ASR system, the monitoring requirements in Rule 62-610.463, F.A.C., shall apply and an operating protocol shall be implemented pursuant to Rule 62-610.463, F.A.C.

(c) ASR system.

1. A ground water monitoring plan pursuant to Rule 62-520.600, F.A.C., shall be implemented before placing the ASR system into operation. The monitoring plan shall be designed to verify compliance with the ground water standards and to monitor the performance of the ASR system. As part of this monitoring plan, the permittee shall monitor a measure of inorganics concentration (such as chloride or TDS) and specific conductance for the water being injected, ground water, and the recovered water.

2. Ground water shall be monitored quarterly for all parameters for which ground water standards exist. After the first year of operation, the frequency of this monitoring and the list of parameters may be adjusted by the Department based on previous monitoring. Reductions in monitoring shall only be considered after the injected bubble of reclaimed water reaches a monitoring well. The complete list of all parameters for which ground water standards exist shall be sampled at least once during each five years.

(d) Additional water quality and ground water monitoring may be required under the underground injection control permit.

(13) Injection wells and recovery wells used for aquifer storage and recovery shall be located at least 500 feet from any potable water supply well. For potable water supply wells which are not public water supply wells, the Department shall approve a smaller setback distance, if the applicant provides an affirmative demonstration in the engineering report that confinement exists between the aquifer used for aquifer storage and recovery and the potable water supply well such that the aquifer storage and recovery system will not adversely affect the quantity or quality of water withdrawn from the potable water supply well.

(14) Extended zone of discharge.

(a) Projects described in paragraph 62-610.466(9)(b), and subsection (10), F.A.C., may have an extended zone of discharge included in the permit. The extended zone of discharge shall apply to parameters listed as secondary drinking water standards in Chapter 62-550, F.A.C. Zones of discharge will not be provided for parameters listed as primary drinking water standards IN Chapter 62-550, F.A.C. (except for sodium).

(b) A zone of discharge under this rule shall not be allowed for projects featuring injection that causes or allows movement of fluid into or between underground sources of drinking water which may adversly affect the health of persons.

(c) An extended zone of discharge will extend radially to the permittee’s property line. This may be greater than the 100 feet normally allowed for a zone of discharge in Rule 62-520.465, F.A.C. The applicant may request an extended zone of discharge that extends beyond the property boundary, if the conditions and procedures in paragraphs 62-520.470(3)(d), and (e), F.A.C., are met. The applicant may request an extended zone of discharge beyond the property line at the time of initial permit application or with subsequent permit renewals or permit modifications.

(d) An extended zone of discharge shall not extend closer than 500 feet to potable water supply wells. For potable water supply wells which are not public water supply wells, the Department shall approve a smaller setback distance, if the applicant provides an affirmative demonstration in the engineering report that confinement exists between the aquifer used for aquifer storage and recovery and the potable water supply well such that the aquifer storage and recovery system will not adversely affect the quantity or quality of water withdrawn from the potable water supply well.

(e) The extended zone of discharge shall extend vertically from the base to the top of a specifically designated aquifer, aquifers, or portion of an aquifer. The vertical and lateral limits of the extended zone of discharge shall be designated. Injection and recovery wells used in the ASR system shall be included within the extended zone of discharge. As noted in sub-subparagraphs 62-610.466(9)(b)1.d., and 62-610.466(10)(a)1.d., F.A.C., the extended zone of discharge shall not extend into zones having TDS concentrations less than the specified threshold (based on the initial TDS characterization in the initial engineering report and information submitted after the submittal of the initial engineering report).

(f) For aquifer storage and recovery systems involving the levels of preapplication treatment provided in paragraph 62-610.466(9)(b), or subsection (10), F.A.C., all ground water quality criteria shall be met at the edge of the extended zone of discharge. If the natural background ground water quality does not meet the ground water quality criteria, the aquifer storage and recovery system shall meet the natural background quality at the edge of the extended zone of discharge.

(15) The aquifer storage and recovery system (including both injection and recovery) shall be described in the domestic wastewater permit.

(16) Applicants proposing ASR systems using Class F-I, G-I, or G-II ground water shall comply with the public and utility notification requirements contained in Rule 62-610.574, F.A.C.

(17) The permittee shall assess the performance of the ASR system on a monthly basis.

(a) During operation of the reuse system, if it is shown that water recovered from the aquifer storage and recovery system does not meet the fecal coliform performance criteria associated with high-level disinfection or if the water recovered adversely affects vegetation or crops grown in the reuse system or adversely affects the infiltration/percolation capability of soils within the reuse system, the permittee shall do the following:

1. Evaluate the nature and severity of the problems.

2. Propose remedial or preventative measures and provide reasonable assurances that the remedial or preventative measures will avoid future occurrences of the adverse effects. Remedial or preventative measures may include additional monitoring of or additional treatment of the water recovered from the aquifer storage and recovery system, or other measures.

3. Propose a time schedule for implementation of the proposed remedial or preventative measures.

4. Submit a written report to the Department within 120 days of identification of a potential problem. The report shall address the requirements of subparagraphs 62-610.466(17)(a)1. through 3., F.A.C.

(b) The Department shall incorporate remedial or preventative measures and a schedule for implementation in the domestic wastewater permit.

(c) Nothing in subsection 62-610.466(17), F.A.C., shall preclude the Department from taking enforcement action to compel compliance with the requirements of Rule 62-610.466, F.A.C., the requirements of Part III of this chapter or the ground water standards contained in Chapter 62-520, F.A.C.

Rulemaking Authority 403.051, 403.061, 403.087 FS. Law Implemented 403.021, 403.051, 403.061, 403.062, 403.085, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088 FS. History–New 8-8-99, Amended 8-8-21.