Scope of Rain Water Harvesting

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What is the scope of using an abandoned borewell (previously used for drinking water supply) for recharging groundwater through storm runoff created by rainwater? If yes, does this approach need any upgradation / adaptation?

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  1. Here some friends have explained. You should do watershed management and aquifer management in the region, in other words, you should try to restore the aquifer in the region by artificial feeding. For this, you have to build a stone wall in all channels, valleys and drains (this stone wall can be done dry and without cement mortar, and it can also be made with cement mortar), this will trap flood water. and surface runoff, and gradually the water behind this stone wall penetrates into the ground, and finally your aquifer is restored within a period of one year.

  2. Dear Nripendra, We have experience in storage of water in artificial storage and recovery systems using effluent from tile drains in agricultural fields as infiltration water source. The main threat to the functioning of the infiltration, the first one is that the well may become clogged if sediment concentrations are too high in source water. This requires the installation of a disc or sand filter to clean the source water before infiltration. Iron/manganese precipitates may also pose a risk for clogging if the concentration of Fe/Mn ions is too high in the source water or in (anoxic) groundwater. To avoid contamination of groundwater by organic pollutants (pesticides) a combination carbon/sand filter may be needed to purify the source water. Can you explain why the well was abandoned - contamination, decrease in groundwater level? Regards, Maarten

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    1. The reason for abandoning the well was abrupt decrease in groundwater level in the well. Now, the question is whether there will be infiltration even after the filtered water is allowed for recharge. Thanks and Regards.

  3. Yes, the Rainwater collected through these drains  can be used to recharge groundwater instead, and are keen to gather the opinion of citizens on this matter.Now now built construction has provision to collect rain water as  well as drain water in a pit and recycled through treatment systemNo doubt, this water will carry along with it large quantity of solid waste, besides fine silt and will pose as a major hurdle in harvesting and hence will have to be handled with care. Rainwater structures that should be constructed should take into account this.The sub-surface reservoirs, located in suitable hydrogeological situations, are environment friendly and economically viable proposition. The sub-surface storages have advantages of being free from the adverse effects like inundation of large surface area, loss of cultivable land, displacement of local population, substantial evaporation losses and sensitivity to earthquakesIn particular, the features, parameters and data to be considered are: geological boundaries; hydraulic boundaries; inflow and outflow of waters; storage capacity; porosity; hydraulic conductivity; transmissivity; natural discharge of springs; water resources available for recharge; natural recharge; water balance; lithology; depth of the aquifer; and tectonic boundaries. The aquifers best suited for artificial recharge are those aquifers which absorb large quantities of water and do not release them too quickly.

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    1. An abandoned borewell presents a different geology - whether it is primary or secondary aquifer needs to be confirmed.  The fact that it is abandoned is an indication it has touched rock bottom which is impervious.  More importantly, the aquifer characteristics are vital in ascertaining the period of usage as well.  Bore dia is important as storm drainage could be incompatible.  Please verify these basic parameters prior to any decision in the matter.  All the best.

       

       

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  4. Yes, to minimize the clogging of the well the storm water should be filtered to remove particles and ideally a sediment pond constructed upstream

  5. Yes its possible, but needs to be well managed so as not to contaminate the aquifer.  There are guidelines such as the Australian Guidelines for Managed Aquifer Recharge that if followed will protect human health and the environment.  These rquire good capacity to monitor and analyse water quality. Other guidelines such as those prepared for India do not recommend stormwater recharge where groundwater nearby is used for drinking.  https://recharge.iah.org has resources that should be consulted.