Methodology for evaluation of potential sites for large-scale riverbank filtration

Abstract

AbstractDespite being a simple and inexpensive pretreatment technology, the cost-effectiveness of riverbank filtration (RBF) depends on complex hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical variables. One of the most important issues for decision makers regarding RBF is optimal site selection. Therefore, a methodology for multicriteria site evaluation for large-scale RBF schemes is offered. The methodology is primarily designed as a prescreening method, applied over a wide area, but can also serve as a guide for evaluating individual RBF sites. To facilitate further discussion about improvements on the methodology, the reasoning behind each relevant factor and its weight in the evaluation is presented. The methodology is divided into three sequential steps through which a site can be assessed. The first step is to establish the existence of connectivity between the river and aquifer. This is termed the essential criterion, and is a binary determination of site suitability. If the site is determined to be suitable, it is then assessed via a set of quantity criteria, which measure the aquifer capacity and amount of bank filtrate that can be effectively abstracted. Lastly, water quality criteria are assessed by means of surface-water and groundwater quality. The quantity and quality criteria form a result expressed as the site suitability index (SSI), which ranges from 0 to 1, where higher scores represent increased suitability. Finally, the methodology is applied to evaluate existing sites of large-scale RBF application as a demonstration of its applicability. The success of these existing sites is compared to the calculated SSI value and discussed.