An assessment of the Atlantis artificial recharge water supply scheme (Western Cape, South Africa)

Indirect recycling of storm water and treated wastewater for potable purposes has formed an integral part of the Atlantis water resource management scheme for the past 30 years. This augments the limited natural groundwater supplies along the semiarid west coast north of Cape Town. Initially all wastewater was recycled including an industrial component until water quality considerations dictated otherwise. The paper investigates various aspects of the longer term recharge of tertiary treated wastewater and urban runoff using "indicator" determinands, It also describes the analytical results for trace organic compounds and pharmaceuticals. The analysis confirms the role of the subsurface passage as a barrier reducing the health risk for potable reuse.