Artificial Ground Water Recharge with a Special Reference to India

Artificial groundwater recharge is a process by which the groundwater reservoir is augmented at a rate exceeding the augmentation rate under natural conditions of replenishment. In some parts of India, due to over-exploitation of groundwater, decline in groundwater levels resulting in shortage of supply of water, and intrusion of saline water in coastal areas have been observed. In such areas, there is need for artificial recharge of groundwater by augmenting the natural infiltration of precipitation or surface-water into underground formations by methods such as water spreading, recharge through pits, shafts, wells et cetera The choice of a particular method is governed by local topographical, geological and soil conditions; the quantity and quality of water available for recharge; and the technological-economical viability and social acceptability of such schemes. This paper discusses various issues involved in the artificial recharge of groundwater.