ASR  in Washington:

Obtained from Washington's Department of Ecology, the rule for ASR is as follows: 

In the 2000 session, the Washington State Legislature passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2867, which expanded the definition of "reservoir" in RCW 90.03.370 ("Reservoir permits...") to include, "any naturally occurring underground geological formation where water is collected and stored for subsequent use as part of an underground artificial storage and recovery project".

This legislation allows Ecology to issue reservoir permits to authorize ASR projects. Previously, reservoir permits were only for surface water impoundment projects.

The rule, Chapter 173-157 WAC - Underground Artificial Storage and Recovery, establishes standards for review of ASR proposals and mitigation of any adverse impacts in the following areas:

• Aquifer vulnerability and hydraulic continuity
• Potential impairment of existing water rights
• Geotechnical impacts and aquifer boundaries and characteristics
• Chemical compatibility of surface and ground waters
• Recharge and recovery treatment requirements System operation
• Water rights and ownership of water stored for recovery Environmental impacts
  

Water Quality Issues

Water to be stored in an aquifer as part of an ASR project must meet water quality standards for ground waters of the state of Washington (Ch. 173-200 WAC).  Additionally, injection wells for an ASR project must be registered with Ecology in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 90.48 RCW (Water Pollution Control Act) and Chapter 173-218 WAC (Underground Injection Control Program). For more information on the Underground Injection Control program, please see the UIC Web site.