Seawater injection barrier recharge with advanced reclaimed water at Llobregat delta aquifer (Spain)

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 d...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Ortuño Gobern, Felip, Molinero Huguet, Jorge José, Garrido, Teresa, Custodio Gimena, Emilio|||0000-0003-4122-8098
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2012
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/20043
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/20043
https://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.2012.423
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Llobregat River Delta (Spain)
artificial recharge
coastal zones
groundwater overexploitation
hydraulic barrier
Llobregat delta aquifer
reclaimed water
seawater intrusion
Llobregat (Catalunya : Delta)
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria civil::Geologia::Hidrologia
Descripción
Sumario: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.