Modeling of Aquifer Recharge in drought prone area A Case Study

Abstract

Water becomes vital part human life but due to haphazard pumping of groundwater, the aquifer depth is abnormally depicting, if the problem is not attended seriously this will definitely impact the next generation as they will be addressing the crisis. Due to the explosion of population pressure and its extensive demand, water becomes the scarce resource. The current study area of Osmanabad district receives an average of 538 mm of rainfall annually, calculated over the course of eight years. Artificial recharge is the process of adding groundwater at a rate that is faster than it would be under typical replenishment circumstances. Thus, any man-made structure that replenishes an aquifer with water could be considered an artificial recharge. Augmenting the natural replenishment of groundwater storage through construction, water dispersion, or man-made environmental changes is the aim of artificial recharge. It contributes to preserving surface runoff, reducing overdraft, and increasing available groundwater. The common structures which are frequently used in watershed management practice are percolation tanks, Check Dams / Gully Plugs / Nala Bunds, Bench Terracing, Contour Bunds, Contour Trenches and farm ponds. These structures are multi-purpose resulting into conservation of water. These structures are more effective and beneficial in area receiving low or moderate rainfall than average rainfall and facing drought condition periodically. The term artificial recharge refers to transfer of surface water to the sub surface regions (aquifer) by human interference. The natural process of recharging the aquifer is accelerated through percolation of stored or flowing surface water, which otherwise does not percolate into the aquifers. Artificial recharge is also defined as the process by which ground water is augmented at a rate exceeding that, under natural condition of replenishment. Therefore, any man-made facility that adds water to an aquifer may be considered as artificial recharge.