Groundwater recharging is a process that artificially increases natural groundwater levels through human intervention. The primary objectives are to enhance groundwater resources in arid areas and reduce soil erosion and flooding by storing water during rainy seasons. Methods include direct surface spreading techniques like flooding basins and terracing, as well as indirect techniques like inducing recharge through pumping or modifying aquifers. Together these methods aim to supplement groundwater and alleviate issues from overuse like depletion and dry wells.

1. O B J E C T I V E S & M E T H O D S
What Is Ground Water Recharging

2. Definition
Groundwater recharge is a process of induced recovery of the ground water
reservoir by human activities. It is designed to increase natural recharge or surface
water in aquifers through the act of supplementing groundwater levels, resulting in
corresponding increases in groundwater levels.
Ground water is being used for agricultural & industrial uses as well as for drinking
purpose. Excessive withdrawal of groundwater can lead to increased pumping costs,
depletion of water in lakes and waterfalls, shortage of drinking water in populated
areas, dry wells and other problems. So it is very important for us to take steps to
conserve ground water from now on.

3. Objectives
The primary objective of artificial recharge of groundwater is to enhance
groundwater resources in arid and semi-arid areas in the country. Groundwater
recharge stores water during the rainy season so that it can be used in the summer.
It also plays an essential role in the reduction of soil erosion and flooding.
The ground water recharge improves the infiltration and reduces the surface
runoff, improve the ground water quality, and increase the ground water availability
during summer month. This process increases the amount of ground water by using
waste water from residential areas after removing the oil from the waste water by
using rapid sand filter in which different types of soil layer is present. Ground water
recharge also helps the strain on special village panchayatas, municipals and
municipal corporation water supply, improve ground water level and yield. In also
increase the level of ground water table in the area where the ground water goes to
their critical level.

4. Methods
Artificial groundwater recharge methods can be done by direct and
indirect methods.
1) Direct Methods
 Surface Spreading Techniques: In this type of artificial groundwater recharge,
numerous techniques are utilized to increase the contact area of surface-water over
the soil in order to improve infiltration and increase groundwater storage in
phreatic aquifers. Rate of recharging depends upon the permeability of spreaded
area and depth of water stored.
 Flooding: Flooding technique is very useful in selected areas where a favorable
hydrogeological condition exists to recharge the unreserved aquifers by spreading
the excess water from canals or streams long enough to recharge the ground water
body.

5.  Artificial Recharge Basins: The most popular techniques involve putting
water into spreading basins where it can penetrate into the ground. Basins built
in sand or gravel aquifers are used to collect surface water that is then allowed to
percolate through an unsaturated zone into the unconfined aquifer beneath.
They are either dug out or surrounded by levees or dykes.
 Bench Terracing: It protect soil erosion and holding runoff water on the
terraced area for longer durations, leading to increased infiltration and ground
water recharge.
 Gully Plugs: Gully plugs are built over small gullies and streams that flow
down hills during the rainy season with minor drainage and help conserve soil
and moisture.

6. 2) Indirect Methods
 Induced Recharge Method: This method is effective where the stream bed is
connected to the aquifer by a sandy formation and it involves the pumping of aquifer
hydrologically connected with surface water in case of perennial stream, unlined canal
or lakes. Heavy pumping lowers the ground water level and cone of depression form.
Lowering of water level induces the surface water to percolate into the ground.
Infiltration galleries are other structures used to tap groundwater reservoirs below the
river bed level. It is an open structure with horizontal holes or joints surrounded by a
deep filter envelope with a shallow water table in the saturated strata and a multi-year
recharge source.
 Aquifer Modification Techniques: Aquifer is the structure which is porous and
permeable to store and transmit water under the ground. Aquifer modification
techniques modify the aquifer characteristics to increase its capacity to store and
transmit water. Through hydro-geological investigation, suitable sites are fixed where
the aquifer displays limited yield that dries in winter or summer months. This process
involves applying hydraulic pressure to a discrete zone of the borehole to induce
fracture initiation and propagation and to propagate existing fractures. The high-
pressure of the water breaks the pores, coagulation leading to a better contact with the
adjacent water-bearing layer.

7. Conclusion
Up to 30% of fresh water resources are found in groundwater, yet some major
aquifers are at risk. In order to make a significant impact in the future, it is
imperative that we make efforts to conserve our ecosystems today so that we
have enough groundwater for our next generation.
Contact us for all types of artificial groundwater recharging services.