Potential for Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) in South Bihar, India

Somnath Bandyopadhyay,Aviram Sharma,Kishore Dhavala,Prabhakar Sharma,Satiprasad Sahoo

doi:10.3390/su13063502

Abstract

Among the several options of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) techniques, the aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) is a well-known sub-surface technique to replenish depleted aquifers, which is contingent upon the selection of appropriate sites. This paper explores the potential of ASR for groundwater recharge in the hydrological, hydrogeological, social, and economic context of South Bihar in India. Based on the water samples from more than 137 wells and socio-economic surveys, ASR installations were piloted through seven selected entrepreneurial farmers in two villages of South Bihar. The feasibility of ASR in both hard rock and deep alluvial aquifers was demonstrated for the prominent aquifer types in the marginal alluvial plains of South Bihar and elsewhere. It was postulated through this pilot study that a successful spread of ASR in South Bihar can augment usable water resources for agriculture during the winter cropping season. More importantly, ASR can adapt to local circumstances and challenges under changing climatic conditions. The flexible and participatory approach in this pilot study also allowed the farmers to creatively engage with the design and governance aspects of the recharge pit. The entrepreneurial farmers-led model builds local accountability, creates avenues for private investments, and opens up the space for continued innovation in technology and management, while also committing to resource distributive justice and environmental sustainability.

Highlights

Climate change is altering India’s hydrologic regimes, resulting in changed duration and frequency of severe floods and droughts [1]
Among the rabi crops, wheat is at risk due to the unavailability of reliable sources of irrigation and depletion of groundwater, which has emerged as a primary source of irrigation in recent years [7,8]
This paper explores the potential of scaling up ASR in the marginal alluvial plains of

Summary

Introduction

Climate change is altering India’s hydrologic regimes, resulting in changed duration and frequency of severe floods and droughts [1]. South Bihar is generally considered a drought-prone region with an acute water stress during summers [19]; it adversely affects the winter (rabi) crop, which is critically dependent on irrigation, primarily from groundwater sources (Figure 2). With an estimated 900,000 shallow and 1700 deep tube wells constructed in the state [20], groundwater has been the mainstay of irrigation in Bihar for quite some time [7]. These numbers are estimated to have proliferated in recent years, accounting for significant farm investments, and often indebtedness. Sustainable intensification of agriculture is not possible until irrigation sources are secured [24], especially when farming has increasingly been dependent on groundwater in the state [7]

Piloting ASR Initiatives in South Bihar

Design

Seasonal groundwater fluctuations in village

Findings

Potential for Scaling up ASR in South Bihar