Safety evaluation of an artificial groundwater recharge system for reclaimed water reuse based on bioassays

► Water safety in an AGR system was evaluated using four bioassays. ► Ozone of 1 mg·(mg DOC)− 1 efficiently removed toxicity of wastewater effluent. ► In the vadose layer, the bulk organics were preferentially removed. ► In the saturated aquifer, the toxic chemicals were further removed. ► UV254 was significantly correlated with the toxicity data.