Abstract
South Africa is a relatively dry country, with most rural areas experiencing high demand for water supply. Groundwater is one of the best alternative sources that can be used to augment the demand. However, this cannot sustainably be achieved unless accurate prediction of recharge to the groundwater aquifer is done. The objective of the study was to accurately estimate the groundwater recharge using ArcGIS method with a view of ensuring adequate groundwater for water supply exploitation. The study was conducted in Makotopong village in Polokwane. Data used in the study were sourced from diverse governmental agencies. Borehole logs were obtained from National Groundwater Archives. Geological and hydrogeological data were obtained from Council for Geoscience. All captured data were analysed to show the rainfall variations and estimation of groundwater recharge in different years. Groundwater recharge was estimated using ArcGIS 10.5. The simulated annual groundwater recharge varied from 0 mm to 51 mm with a mean recharge value of 12.04 mm/yr. The estimation of groundwater recharge using GIS methods resulted in a mean recharge value of 12.04 mm/year which shows a close comparison with previous studies conducted using Chlorine Mass Balance (CMB) and Water-Table Fluctuation (WTF). This implies that GIS is a potential tool that can be used to estimate groundwater recharge. It is recommended that GIS Method of estimating recharge be used in designing optimal sustainable groundwater supply systems.
Highlights
The estimation of groundwater recharge using Geographic Information System (GIS) methods resulted in a mean recharge value of 12.04 mm/year which shows a close comparison with previous studies conducted using Chlorine Mass Balance (CMB) and Water-Table Fluctuation (WTF)
This implies that GIS is a potential tool that can be used to estimate groundwater recharge
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how accurately groundwater recharge can be estimated using the Geographic Information System (GIS) method with a view of ensuring adequate groundwater for water supply exploitation
Summary
Groundwater is one of the best alternative sources that can be used to augment. Groundwater is widely used for irrigation and rural water supply. [1] reported that groundwater is found to be the best possible source of drinking water, especially in rural areas where most disadvantaged people live. Groundwater is considered by municipalities in some urban areas in order to supplement municipal water supply for domestic use. Domestic water use has increased drastically in the past years, accessible freshwater resources remain limited. [2] reported that groundwater is a precious resource of limited extent. Sourcing groundwater for water supply can be met most cost-effectively. To ensure that such groundwater supplies are sustainable, it is imperative that accurate prediction of recharge to the groundwater aquifer is done
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
