Low cost groundwater recharge technology for poor quality groundwater areas in Agra and Bharatpur region

Abstract

A low-cost groundwater recharge structure was designed and developed for Agra-Bharatpur region where groundwater is mainly saline and sodic in nature. The recharge structure comprised of silt basin, filter pit and bore hole of existing shallow tubewell. As bore well of existing tube well was used as recharge shaft, the cost of recharge structure was reduced substantially. The 9 recharge structures were installed at village Odhara in Bharatpur district during 2008–2009. The groundwater recharge helped in dilution of exiting saline groundwater during monsoon season and there was reduction in groundwater salinity upto 3 irrigations of rabi crops. Irrigations by diluted groundwater during initial stages in wheat and mustard crop improved crop yields by 10–15% during all four years of data recording. The depth to groundwater was also monitored during 2008 to 2015. There was rise in water table of the area of 2 m. It indicated improvement in groundwater availability. Thus, low-cost groundwater recharge structure is environmental friendly and cost effective technology for region where groundwater quality and groundwater availability are major issues.