Reviewing regulatory settings and their impacts on managed aquifer recharge implementation: evidence from six countries

Circular economy green infrastructure, such as managed aquifer recharge (MAR), may alleviate groundwater pressures. MAR includes the circular economy principles of diversified water supply, nature-based solutions, and recharge and sustainable management of aquifers. However, globally, MAR adoption is significantly constrained by regulatory settings, causing free-rider problems, legal uncertainty, and high transaction costs. We review recent publications on MAR regulatory implementation barriers across six countries. Common barriers include a lack of MAR recovery water ownership, absence of MAR-specific legislation or policy, complex regulatory settings, and overlapping/unclear regulator jurisdiction. These barriers reduce incentives for private-sector MAR investment and can be addressed through streamlined approvals and dedicated recovery water rights. Addressing private sector underinvestment in MAR is paramount to fully realise this important nature-based solution’s potential to mitigate groundwater overextraction and quality challenges from climate change.