title: Seawater injection barrier recharge with advanced reclaimed water at Llobregat delta aquifer (Spain).
abstract: The main aquifer of the Llobregat delta (Barcelona, Spain) has been affected by seawater intrusion since the 1960s. The Catalan Water Agency (ACA) has sponsored the construction of a positive hydraulic barrier in order to stop the progress of seawater intrusion advance due to the intensive aquifer development. The hydraulic barrier consists of 15 wells into which highly treated reclaimed water from the waste water treatment plant of the Baix Llobregat is injected. Water is subjected, prior to the distribution to the injection wells, to secondary and tertiary treatments, and later to ultrafiltration, UV disinfection without chlorination, and salinity reduction through reverse osmosis. A preliminary pilot phase of the project was started in late 2007, with highly positive results, and the second phase started in mid 2010. Hydrogeological and hydrochemical monitoring data indicate an efficient performance and aquifer improvement. The evaluation of such efficiency and operational costs has been analyzed and discussed.
authors.affiliation: Catalan Water Agency, Barcelona, Spain. fjortuno@gencat.net
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ortuño
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Molinero
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Garrido
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Custodio
mesh_terms: D004203:Disinfection; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D060587:Groundwater; D059027:Recycling / Q000191:economics; D012623:Seawater; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors; D014462:Ultrafiltration; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical; D018508:Water Purification
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical