Artificial recharge of aquifers: application examples in France

In this paper, authors present two examples of artificial recharge operation, including technical and historical factors that have given birth to aquifer recharge facilities to better manage groundwater resources. An analysis of these tow schemes shows the key success factors and a global water treatment and water quality approach including pre-treatment potabilisation treatment and natural aquifer treatment during infiltration. These experiences have shown their reliability and sustainability over several decades and can contribute to design a regulatory framework for artificial recharge. They also demonstrate that rigid and unified water quality standards for water prior to infiltration regardless of the local context would not be adequate.