Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 2011, 3, 275-282
doi:10.4236/jwarp.2011.35035 Published Online May 2011 (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/jwarp)
Copyright © 2011 SciRes. JWARP
Geotechnical Parameters Impact on Artificial Ground
Water Recharging Technique for Urban Centers
Pratima Patel
1
, Mahesh Desai
2
, Jatin Desai
3
1
Civil Engineering Department, Sarvajanik College of Engineering & Technology, Surat, India
2
Applied Mechanics Department, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat, India
3
Maliba Institute of Technology, Surat, India
E-mail: pratima13p@gmail.com
Received January 27, 2011; revised March 4, 2011; accepted April 7, 2011
Abstract
Water scarcity is a serious problem throughout the world for both urban & rural community. Urban centers
in India are facing an ironical situation of water scarcity today. This paper includes an Analytical solution,
Numerical modeling, Empirical approaches, In-situ test results to predict recharge (rate) mound of the
ground-water and capacity of recharge well which is essential for the proper management of suitable artifi-
cial ground-water recharge systems to maintain water balance and stop salt water intrusion. Authors have
derived analytical equation for predicting growth as well as decline of the ground-water mound depending on
the intensity of recharge rate q
r
with different value of permeability k, depth of pervious strata H and diame-
ter of well d, also studying the effects of variation in the geotechnical parameters on water-table fluctuations.
In this paper to study the impact of numerical modeling using quadratic equation for unconfined aquifer base
on rainfall intensity P and a change in saturated thickness H with variation in piezometric level. Empirical
approaches are for evaluation of correct value of k of an undercharged unconfined aquifer with drawdown s
0
,
influence zone L, recharge rate q
r
. In-situ test results give actual correlation between value of recharging rate
of well and permeability on field. Authors have verified recharging rate of installed well from all approaches.
A result obtained from the various field case studies gives the validation of the derived equation. Scientific
quality measures of aquifer water are also recorded.
Keywords: Unconfined Aquifer, Well Determinant – Recharge Rate & Hydraulic Conductivity, Geometrical
Properties of Aquifer, Pre Cast Octagonal Recharge Well
1. Introduction
Scarcity of water resources, pollution and climate change
will be the major emerging issues in the next century.
Due to depletion of water table, scanty and uneven pat-
tern of rainfall, water scarcity is faced by arid and
semi-arid district of Gujarat State. The runoff for roof
top is computed based on average rainfall intensity. In
addition to irregularity of rainfall, the change in life style,
population explosion, rapid industrialization, rapid ur-
banization, irrigated agriculture and inefficient water
management plan are the main factor which has lead to
present water shortage problem. Recharge is a critical
parameter for understanding, modeling and protecting
groundwater systems from overexploitation and con-
tamination. Adopting the concept of sustainability and
conservation of water resources using artificial recharge
technique can help to cope with the global water short-
age.
Adequate space for surface storage is not available in
urban areas, water levels are deep enough to accommo-
date additional rainwater to recharge the aquifers, roof-
top and runoff rainwater harvesting (storm water reuse)
is ideal solution to solve the water supply problems for
better tomorrow. In this article simple methodology of
recharging is highlighted. The collection of roof terrace
water into detention tank and then recharges the uncon-
fined aquifer through designed recharge well. Authors
have derived general analytical equations for evaluation
of recharging capacity of well with predominant geo-
technical parameters like permeability of aquifer soil,
depth of water table, depth of pervious strata, porosity