2-21-08

Media Release

Conference Will Explore Aquifer Storage as Option for Water Challenges

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University will hold a professional conference on aquifer storage on Thursday, Feb. 28, attracting a range of experts to discuss new methods for addressing future water shortages that may be caused by increasing demands from agriculture, population growth and climate change.

The event, co-sponsored by the OSU Institute for Water and Watersheds and the Oregon Water Resources Department, is titled “Aquifer Storage and Recovery and Artificial Recharge in Oregon: Overcoming Technical, Regulatory, and Social Challenges.”

It has been estimated that Oregon’s population may increase to almost five million residents by 2030, more precipitation may fall as rain instead of snow, and construction of new dams to store water will be highly constrained. Underground water storage may be one way of approaching this situation, and the concept has recently attracted a high level of scientific, regulatory and engineering interest.

Local, state and international experts will discuss possibilities and case studies with this approach, as well as conflicts, legal challenges and geographic opportunities. A variety of hydrogeologists, economists, engineers, legal experts, land-use planners, political leaders and others are expected at the conference.

David Pyne, one of the world’s leading experts on aquifer storage recovery and author of a book on the topic, will present the keynote address.

The event will be at the LaSells Stewart Center on the OSU campus. More details on the agenda, speakers, registration, fees and other information can be obtained on the web at http://water.oregonstate.edu/asr.