License Opportunity for Artificial Recharge System

US Geological Survey in Reston, VA, is soliciting inquiries from companies interested in licensing rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued as exclusive or nonexclusive, and may include specific fields of use. USGS is not providing any funding in conjunction with the potential license. Technology title, "Artificial Recharge System," US patent application 13/562,891. Background. The present invention relates to a system and method of artificially recharging groundwater reservoirs. Artificial recharge of ground water reservoirs has been used to augment water supplies and to improve water quality of some aquifers. For example, severe dewatering of the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer in Arkansas has occurred over the last 50 years, resulting in falling water table levels over large areas and decreased water yields to existing wells. Thus, there is a need to recharge the aquifer more efficiently than what occurs naturally. Because of the large amount of water removed from the alluvial aquifer, a substantial storage reservoir exists, which, if used effectively, could be an effective alternative to above-ground reservoir storage. Abstract. The present invention is directed to an artificial recharge system and method for recharging an aquifer. The artificial recharge system includes a constructed wetland, a settling pond, and a porous recharge reservoir. The constructed wetland receives water from a surface water source and has aquatic vegetation used to remove sediments and chemicals from the water. The settling pond receives the water from the constructed wetland and provides additional sediment removal. The porous recharge reservoir, which is hydraulically connected to the aquifer, receives the water from the settling pond. The water flows by gravity from the porous recharge reservoir to the aquifer. A back-flush tube installed within a sand layer in the porous recharge reservoir is used to remove sediment and particulates from the sand layer. Opportunity. Recharging techniques have been used over the past century, with previous attempts to recharge aquifers being costly and ineffective due to several variables. Water utility and preservation continue to threaten global economic and environmental stability. It is imperative to induce water recharging. The method described is an improvement over previous designs. It provides a low cost, low energy system with minimal moving parts while removing the requirement for chemical treatment of the recharge of water. Further, this recharging method is less expensive and invasive than traditional surface methods consisting of diversions and dams. To express interest in this opportunity, please respond to [email protected] with the title of this technology in the subject line. Include your preferred contact information and the nature of your interest in the technology along with a brief background of your company. For more information about other USGS technologies available for licensing, please visit http://www.usgs.gov/tech-transfer/available_patents.html These responses are provided to members of USGS's Office of Policy & Analysis for the purpose of promoting public awareness of USGS owned technologies and conducting market research to determine commercial interest. If direct licensing interest results from this posting, USGS will follow the required formal licensing process. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from the responses to this notice.