How to Recharge Ground Water and Prevent Contamination?

The entire Earth is facing a several threats, like change in climate pattern, less rainfall, extreme heat and so on. We also suffer from different types of infectious diseases, hunger, thirst, and so on due to global warming. Due toover growth of population we are experiencing shortage and scarcity of water,electricity, food etc. Due to industrial growth we are facing the problem ofpollution of vital elements of the earth, depletion of ground water, ecologicalimbalance, endangering of species, and environmental degradation.

There is an ecological threat in the ground water being contaminated due toindustrial and population growth. So, to overcome the threat we have toidentify certain toxic eating bacteria, synthesise it and should be introducedinto the Ground water resources. Pseudomonas bacteria also help in removing thecontamination of Ground Water. Contamination of ground water is not the onlyproblem we are facing today, but we are experiencing crucial shortage.

To overcome this scarcityof water we have to devise various low cost methods to recharge groundwater.Artificial recharge is the process by which the ground water reservoir iseffected through increased infiltration of water by artificial structures andinnovative methods.

Rainfallis the main source of ground water recharge. Other sources include rechargefrom rivers, streams, irrigation water etc. Rainfall is limited for a fixedduration, natural recharge of ground water is restricted to a particular periodonly. Large volume of rainfall flows into the sea and is evaporated. Since wecannot depend on rains to recharge ground water we have to adapt artifcialmethods that are low in cost, and easy to use.

1.Grey water treatment system:

Municipal and industrialwaste water should be treated chemically to remove contaminants and pollutantsand then introduced into the ground water resources.

2. Rain Water Harvesting Method:

Rainwater harvesting is another method to replenish ground water. But this methos can be used only during the rains. In urban and rural areas, the roof top rainwater can be conserved and used for recharge of ground water. This approach requires connecting the outlet pipe from the rooftop to divert the water to existing wells/tubewells/borewells or specially designed wells.

3.Recharge by Dugwell Method:

There are thousands of dug wells, which have either gone dry, or the water levels have declined considerably. These dug wells can be used as structures to recharge the ground water reservoir. Storm water, tank water, canal water etc. can be diverted into these structures to directly recharge the dried aquifer.

4.Artifical recharge through Injection Well method:

Injection wells are structures similar to a tube well but with the purpose of augmenting the ground water storage of a confined aquifer by pumping in treated surface water under pressure. In this method, water is led directly into the depleted aquifers. This method is effective because the recharge of ground water is instantaneous and there is no loss of water due to evaporation. In both the above methods purity of ground water is assured.

5. Artificial recharge through unused drainage canals:

The unused drainage canals can be transformed into temporary reservoirs. The network of surface drains that controls floods and waterlogging during monsoon can be modified effectively to collect excess rain water during monsoon season. This indigenous method can replenish the declining ground water table. Excess water not needed for irrigation can be diverted into these unused canals, where ‘check structures’ slow it for recharge.

6a. Modification of Irrigation Techniques to Recharge Ground Water:

Paddy rice irrigation aids recharge of ground water.Paddy rice requires continuous supply of water through canal irrigation. The canals used for irrigation of paddy crops should be made in earthen material to aid recharge of water. For paddy rice, around 60% of the irrigation water is used by the plants; the remaining 40% filters through the soil to recharge the aquifer below. Similarly, cultivation of sugar cane crops helps in recharging and replenishing ground water.

6b. Clay Pot or Pitcher Irrigation Technique to Recharge Ground Water:

Ground Water meets nearly 55% of agricultural requirements.That means farmers exploit ground water to the maximum extent. By proper irrigation techniques we have to irrigate the crops and adapt methods in such a way that we conserve water and recharge ground water. If methods like pitcher irrigation , are adapted, they deliver water to the underground directly to the roots of the plant. There is no water wasted through evaporation or run off. In this system of pot irrigation, earthern pots filled with water and closed with a lid are burried deep into the soil next to the plants or trees. Water seeps slowly through the sides of the pots, and into the soil, providing water to the roots of the plants, exactly where it is needed. Water only moves underground from the pot to the area around the plant roots, so there is no water loss due to evaporation. It is important to cover the top of the pot to stop the water from evaporating and to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. By this method ground water is recharged, replenished and conserved.

7.Rain garden to recharge ground water:

Rain garden is designed to hold rain water runoff from roof tops, drive ways, patios, or lawns. It contains native shrubs, perennials, plants etc. Every time it rains, water runs off impermeable surfaces, such as roofs or driveways,collecting pollutants like particles of dirt, fertilizer, chemicals, oil, garbage, and bacteria along the way. The pollutant-laden water enters storm drains untreated and flows directly to nearby streams and ponds. Rain gardens collect rainwater runoff, allowing the water to be filtered by the vegetation and percolate into the soil recharging groundwater aquifers. This process filter out pollutants.

The advantages of rain Garden are:

• Improve the water quality by filtering pollutants.

• Pleasing appearance to the building.

• Preserves native vegetation.

• Provides strom water and flood control.

• Attracts bees, birds, insects.

• Maintenance is easy.

• Helps in ground water recharge.

8. Phytoremediation to recharge Ground water:

In addition to all other above methods planting and cultivation of woody trees help in replenishing ground water conservation because the roots help in percolation of rain water deep into the soil and keep the water table steady. Cultivation of trees not only enriches the quality of water but also raises the ground water table. They also remove, transfer, stabilize, and/or destroy contaminants present in the soil and in the ground water. They clean up contaminated soil, sludge and ground water. This method of cleaning up ground water pollution and maintaining the water table and soil contaminants using different species of plants and trees is a low cost, environmentally friendly and effective for a wide range of chemicals such as pesticides, solvents,crude oil, poly aromatic hydrocarbons and metals etc.

Ground water resources should be recharged artificially, but innovatively. People should be trained in these methods to protect Mother Nature’s precious gift. People should be properly educated in methods of harnessing, conserving, cleaning ground water resources. Laboratories for testing quality of water should be commissioned in every cities and villages to moniter ground water resources and supply. This helps in maintaining the health of the community.Water is Elixir of Life. If the resources of water is not preserved properly and comes under threat, then the entire planet and its biodiversity will be threatened.

Save Ground Water to Save Life on Earth!!!