Artificial recharge of fresh water in the Belgian coastal dunes

Since July 2002, the Intermunicipal Water Company of the Veurne region (IWVA) artificially recharges fresh water in the dunes of the western Belgian coastal plain by means of two recharge ponds. This recharge water is produced from secondary treated waste water effluent by the combination of ultra filtration and reverse osmosis. The artificial recharge project loops the water cycle: extracted water goes to the users and their waste water is purified and re-used. In this paper, the results of simulations of the artificial recharge are discussed and descriptions of the hydrochemistry of dune water, recharge water and extraction water are given. This artificial recharge project is an example of sustainable water management in coastal aquifers.

Publication year:2008

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