This project is multi-purpose and provides benefits to environmental, urban and agricultural users.

Pilot projects were authorized for several components of the CERP which were to be implemented on a very large scale. The components of the CERP had sufficient detail for plan selection but were not of sufficient detail for traditional Corps feasibility studies.

Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) technology had been demonstrated and was feasible but had not been tested on the scale that is required for CERP. The ASR pilot projects will provide the platforms for the ASR Regional Study to address the uncertainties identified by the National Academy of Sciences.

This project is one of three pilot projects necessary to help identify the most suitable sites for the aquifer storage and recovery wells in the vicinity of Lake Okeechobee and to help identify the optimum configuration of those wells. Additionally, this pilot project will provide the platform to determine the water quality characteristics of waters to be injected, the water quality characteristics and amount of water recovered from the aquifer, and the effect on the water quality characteristics and the flora and fauna of the receiving surface water bodies and ecosystems.

Further information from the pilot project will provide the hydrogeological and geotechnical characteristics of the upper Floridan Aquifer System within the region, and the ability of the upper Floridan Aquifer System to maintain injected water for future recovery. This pilot project will provide the technical evaluation of the available technology and contribute information necessary for additional plan formulation and development by the ASR Regional Study team. A comprehensive technical data report of the ASR technologies and cycle testing responses will be prepared. From the information collected at the sites, the ASR Regional Study Team may determine the number of wells required, where to site these wells, and any specific treatment requirements.