The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced nearly $2 million in research funding to the University of California, Berkeley to develop a cost-benefit tool to support enhanced aquifer recharge (EAR) as a viable, safe, and cost-effective water management strategy. EAR is the practice of using excess surface water to intentionally replenish and supplement existing groundwater supplies for storage and potential reuse.

“Given that changing climate is leading to intensified droughts, as evident this summer in communities throughout the U.S., we need to identify effective and economically feasible solutions to enhance the sustainability of our water supplies,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “The research announced today will provide decision makers the knowledge needed to address groundwater depletion, support communities, and advance water availability.”