Influence of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage on groundwater quality: A review illustrated by seven case studies from Belgium

tStudy region: The area of study is the northern part of Belgium (Flanders).The seven evaluated Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) systems are pos-itioned in key aquifers, which contain major groundwater resources for theregion. Study focus: The increasing number of ATES systems leads to concerns bydrinking water companies and environmental regulators about the long termimpacts of ATES systems on the groundwater quality. This study assesses theinfluence of ATES on groundwater chemistry by means of a literature review,and a comparison of groundwater quality monitoring data at seven ATES sys-tems with ambient groundwater quality values from 69 monitoring wells. New hydrological insights for the region: The results of the analysis of thehydrochemical data confirm that the small temperature differences (T ≤ 10)at which the ATES systems are operating do not influence the concentrations ofthe main chemical constituents. Mixing of shallow with deeper groundwaterduring ATES operation, on the other hand, can alter groundwater quality. Theresults of this study, however, suggest that the groundwater quality changesare rather small, so that there is no immediate risk for the drinking watersupply. However, the installation of ATES systems in the vicinity of publicdrinking water supply well fields should be handled with care, especially inphreatic aquifers.

Publication year:2014

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