Artificial groundwater recharge is the process of replenishing aquifers through human intervention. It is used to address water deficits, improve groundwater quality, and sustain water resources for long-term use.
Methods of Artificial Groundwater Recharge
- Infiltration Basins – Shallow depressions designed to capture stormwater runoff, allowing it to percolate into the aquifer.
- Percolation Tanks – Reservoirs where excess runoff is stored and gradually seeps through highly permeable soil to recharge groundwater.
- Recharge Canals – Water is diverted across the land surface to facilitate infiltration into the aquifer.
- Injection Wells (Recharge Wells) – Treated surface water is pumped into deep aquifers under pressure, ensuring direct groundwater replenishment.
- Irrigation Furrows and Sprinkler Systems – Water is applied to the land surface, where it gradually infiltrates into the ground, enhancing recharge.
- Rainwater Harvesting – Collected surface water, including rainwater, is directed into recharge structures such as pits, wells, or trenches.
- Check Dams and Small Barriers – Structures built across streams to slow down water flow and encourage percolation into the ground.
- Recharge Shafts and Dug Wells – Vertical shafts and abandoned wells are used to channel water directly into groundwater reservoirs.
Benefits of Artificial Groundwater Recharge
- Improves Water Quality – Natural filtration removes contaminants as water percolates through soil layers.
- Conserves Excess Water – Prevents surface water loss by storing it underground.
- Enhances Groundwater Yields – Increases the availability of water for drinking, irrigation, and industrial use.
- Reduces Overexploitation Effects – Helps maintain groundwater balance and prevents depletion.
- Prevents Groundwater Drawdown and Saltwater Intrusion – Maintains sustainable water levels and protects freshwater sources in coastal regions.
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