Proposed ASR Project Permit Changes

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Recovery of recharged water from Wichita’s Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) project is an important part of the City’s plan for future drought conditions. Under current permit conditions, Wichita cannot recover these resources if the aquifer is depleted beyond levels observed in 1993.  In that year, water levels in the Wichita wellfield area were at 88% of natural conditions.

Rather than intentionally lowering the aquifer levels to accommodate additional recharge credits, the City is proposing an alternative procedure for establishing ASR credits when the aquifer is full.  Using a transient resource, water from the Little Arkansas River, to meet the City’s water demands, relieves the aquifer from an equivalent amount of pumping.