Artificial Groundwater Recharge

Artificial recharge is the planned, man-made increase of groundwater levels. By improving its natural replenishment capacities and percolation from surface waters into aquifers, the amount of groundwater available for abstraction is increased. Treated effluent and/or stormwater is discharged into aquifers either directly or after pre-treatment (e.g. wastewater stabilisation ponds or constructed wetlands). This is particularly useful in areas where water and groundwater resources are heavily utilised and acute problems with dropping watersheds, soil salinisation, saltwater intrusion in coastal areas or water scarcity in general exist.