Effects of rainwater-harvesting-induced artificial recharge on the groundwater of wells in Rajasthan, India

Effects of rainwater-harvesting-induced artificial recharge on the groundwater of wells in Rajasthan, India | Incidence de la recharge artificielle par ruissellement sur l’eau de la nappe et sur des puits du Rajasthan, Inde Efectos en la recarga artificial inducida por la recolección de agua de lluvia en las aguas subterráneas de pozos en Rajasthan, India 印度Rajasthan省雨水收集诱发的人工补给井水的效果 Efeitos da recarga artificial induzida em colectores de águas pluviais nas águas subterrâneas de captações do Rajastão, Índia

2009

In light of the increasing deterioration of groundwater supplies in Rajasthan, India, rainwater harvesting practices in southern Rajasthan were studied to determine the effects of artificially recharged groundwater on the supply and quality of local groundwater. A physical and geochemical investigation utilizing environmental tracers (δ¹⁸O and Cl–), groundwater level and groundwater quality measurements, and geological surveys was conducted with two objectives: (1) to quantify the proportion of artificially recharged groundwater in wells located near rainwater harvesting structures and (2) to examine potential effects of artificial recharge on the quality of groundwater in these wells. A geochemical mixing model revealed that the proportion of artificial recharge in these wells ranged from 0 to 75%. Groundwater tracer, water table, and geological data provided evidence of complex groundwater flow and were used to explain the spatial distribution of artificial recharge. Furthermore, wells receiving artificial recharge had improved groundwater quality. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between the water quality in these wells and wells determined not to receive artificial recharge, for electrical conductivity and SO ₄– . The findings from this study provide quantitative evidence that rainwater harvesting structures in southern Rajasthan influence the groundwater supply and quality of nearby wells by artificially recharging local groundwater.

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