Q and A
How much does this service cost?
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Each Water for Earth aquifer recharge zone is $5,000 (excluding the build) and includes on-site groundwater and sub-terranean location surveys, percolation pond building requirements, installation of live-feed camera to monitor the percolation rate and one year of real-time monitoring and reports. We cover all our expenses for getting to your location. We ask for 50% up front and the remainder is billed once the monitoring station has recorded a total of 5,000 gallons of water percolated towards the aquifer. Click here to read more details!
How long does it take to see the results of the aquifer recharge zone?
Water for Earth will provide one year of quarterly reports on the amount of rainwater that is collected at the aquifer recharge zone site. Before aquifer levels rise however, the rainwater collected will need to exceed the field capacity of the soil between the bottom of the percolation pond and the aquifer. For example, if a 1-acre site is receiving an average of 2” of rain per month, it would saturate the aquifer recharge zone in about a month. Once the field capacity of the soil is exceeded, future water will be channeled downward to the aquifer.
Can I use some of this collected rainwater or does it all funnel down to the aquifer?
Absolutely! You can install a pump with a flow switch at the bottom of the percolation pond that would divert any desired amount for usage at the site. Keep in mind that a good performing basin may only hold water after it rains for 1-3 days so collection and storage will need to be outside the pond.
How is what you’re doing different than other Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) programs?
The primary differentiator is our technology. We can map both groundwater levels that are present beneath the surface and hard layers capable of forming artificial aquifers when sufficient water reaches them. We can also see paths of downward percolation.
Can an aquifer recharge zone be built on any type of soil?
The first thing we're going to do is research the classification of soil in your county. Since a recharge zone relies on water saturating the soil past field capacity, it is easier to create a recharge zone in sand, sandy loam or loam soil textures. It is more difficult to create a percolation pond in clay or silty clay; however, if an existing path of downward percolation can be located, it is possible to increase the natural percolation with a recharge zone.
I’m a developer and like this idea for my next office complex, but what happens if the county doesn’t allow me to build the aquifer recharge zone as part of the design. Do I get my money back?
We are proud of our technology and we firmly believe aquifer recharge zones are an important part to enhancing our water supply. However, if your county or municipality will not approve for the construction of an aquifer recharge zone, please provide us documentation of their denial letter that includes your name and the address of the proposed aquifer recharge zone and we’ll provide you a refund of the initial $2,500 payment. We are not responsible for any other costs you may have incurred.
What happens if my recharge zone does not supply the estimated amount of gallons per year? Do I get a refund?
No. Gallons per year is made up of three main factors: the rainfall received, the soil absorption of the berms and the quality of the construction. But, we will gladly visit the site and see if we can work with you on solutions for soil absorption and any construction issues. Unfortunately, the amount of rain received is out of all of our control.
Does an aquifer recharge zone increase the risk of contamination of groundwater?
It is very easy for the landowner to test samples of the water collected in the percolation pond to ensure that it is free of contamination. All local county health departments have water testing kits or can refer you to water testing labs.
I have a heavily wooded property with thick brush. Can you create an aquifer recharge zone in that environment?
Not likely. To identify the correct placement of the zone, we will need to be able to drive our truck and trailer across the property and deploy our equipment to understand the water levels and slope of the property. Without some access, we would not really be able to perform a good geophysical study on the property.