Monitoring requirements for groundwaters under the influence of reclaimed water

Monitoring groundwaters under the influence of reclaimedwater must consider the major constituents of concern inreclaimed water. This research focused on the fate ofdissolved organic carbon and nitrogen species at field siteslocated throughout the Southwestern United States. Awatershed approach was developed to predict the fate ofdissolved organic carbon as a function of the drinking waterdissolved organic carbon concentration and the totaldissolved solids concentration in the reclaimed water. Extensive characterization of the dissolved organic carbonrecovered from groundwaters under the influence of reclaimedwater was done. With the exception of fluorescencespectroscopy, the dissolved organic carbon present ineffluent organic matter was similar in structure, characterand reactivity as compared to natural organic matter. Evidence for sustainable nitrogen removal mechanisms duringgroundwater recharge with reclaimed water was obtained. Theautotrophic reaction between ammonia and nitrate appears to amechanism for the removal nitrogen in a carbon-depletedenvironment. The monitoring tools and methodologiesdeveloped in this research can be used to assure protectionof public health and determine the sustainability of indirectpotable reuse projects.