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1. Excellent (Burgundy): This rating signifies denotes those aquifers with the highest level of need for artificial recharge to the aquifer to help solve past or ongoing over-appropriation effects, such as an unsustainable downward trend in water-levels or potential prior-appropriation conflicts. Also, aquifers where there is a perceived major future water need but lack existing capacity to serve the need without MAR support. Aquifers in this category also have the hydrogeologic characteristics to enable large quantities to be put into storage to provide needed resilience to critical drinking water supplies through municipal and rural water systems.
2. Very Good (Red): This rating indicates that MAR could be highly effective and well-suited to the local hydrogeological conditions. These aquifers may also be highly appropriated and future appropriation limited because of the need to ensure the rights of the prior appropriators are protected. The aquifers could accommodate the storage of water added through a MAR project especially in areas where there is a high level of demand on the aquifer.
3. Good (Orange): This rating is given when MAR could be generally effective and appropriate in limited site-specific areas and during drought cycles. Aquifers in this category typically have stable water level trends but may be susceptible to meeting existing demands during dry cycles.
4. Fair (Gold): This rating suggests that MAR may provide some level of aquifer recharge potential or benefit, but there are significant limitations or inefficiencies.
5. Poor (Yellow): This rating indicates that MAR would likely be ineffective or unsuitable given hydrogeological context. Attempts at MAR may lead to minimal or no recharge, or inefficient use of resources. For example, small aquifers with shallow water tables or piezometric levels, stable water levels, composed predominantly or lower-K sands, or aquifers with minimal or no existing or potential major development. Buried aquifers where there is no significant past, current, or imminent development are in this category.