Infiltration Ponds Research Articles

Multi-Annual Dynamics of a Coastal Groundwater System with Soil-Aquifer Treatment and Its Impact on the Fate of Trace Organic Compounds

The combination of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) with soil-aquifer treatment (SAT) has clear advantages for the future sustainable quality and quantity management of groundwater, especially when using treated wastewater. We built a Marthe flow and transport model of an MAR–SAT system located in a near-shore sand aquifer, for quantifying the influence of environmental factors (climate, tides, and operational conditions) on the coastal hydrosystem with regard to the fate of trace organic compounds (TrOCs). The simulations show the impact of these factors on flow rates and dilution, and thus, on the potential reactivity of TrOCs. The dilution of secondary treated wastewater (STWW) is variable, depending on the operations (feeding from infiltration ponds) and on shore proximity (dilution by saltwater). We show that, close to the ponds and during infiltration, the attenuation of TrOC concentrations can be explained by reactivity. At the natural outlet of the aquifer, the simulated average residence times ranged from about 70 to 500 days, depending upon seasonal dynamics. It is important to study TrOCs at site scale in order to anticipate the effect of natural variations on the SAT and on the fate of TrOCs.

Influence of Leachate Recirculation on Landfill Degradation and Biogas Production

Population growth combined with the rising standard of living of people around the world is the reason for the ever-increasing production of waste which management is costing states a lot of money for its disposal. Among available waste treatment techniques, landfill is one of the most promoted waste management techniques with the emergence of the bioreactor concept. However, the control of biodegradation parameters in order to accelerate waste stabilization is an important issue. For environmental and economic reasons, the technique of leachate recirculation by injection into the waste is increasingly used to improve the degradation of landfilled waste. The injection of leachate is possible using vertical boreholes, horizontal pipes, infiltration ponds or a combination of these. Indeed, moisture is the main factor in waste degradation and biogas production. The migration of leachate to the bottom of the landfill creates low moisture in the upper areas of the landfill reducing the growth of microbial populations. This results in low or no biogas production. The main objective of the present work is to develop a numerical model of leachate recirculation by injection into the waste to rewet the waste and restart biological activity. The analysis of the results shows that the diffusion of the wet front increases with time and depth. The lateral widening of the wet front is slow in relation to the progression of the wet front towards the bottom of the waste cell. This indicates the predominance of gravity effects over diffusion phenomena. The results reveal that the distributed re-injection is the best mode of leachate recirculation because the moisture distribution on the whole waste mass is totally satisfactory and the biogas generation is more important. Leachate recirculation campaigns should be done periodically to rewet the waste, boost microbial activity and hope for a quicker stabilization of the landfill.

Delineation and Prioritisation of Groundwater Recharge Areas in the State of Tamil Nadu using Geographical Information System

Delineation and prioritisation of suitable areas for artificial groundwater recharging (AGR) in the state of Tamil Nadu was carried out in the present study. Soil properties namely, soil drainage and land capability class, and geology of the aquifer were identified as spatial parameters that influence the AGR. Weights of 25, 25, and 50% were given to the soil drainage, land capability class, and geology of the aquifer, respectively. Variability within a specific theme was considered by assigning appropriate score to the subtheme. The depth of water table, in addition to soil drainage and land capability class, and geology of the aquifer, was used to decide the priority area of the AGR. Prioritised areas were divided into different rainfall zones as priority first (PR1) and priority second (PR2), which was found to be 14.29% and 38.18% of total area of the state, respectively. Considering bi-modal nature of rainfall in Tamil Nadu, the estimated numbers of percolation pond and check dam were worked out as 6,118 and 15,730 for PR1 areas; while numbers of percolation pond and check dam were worked out as 16,468 and 42,350 for PR2 areas, respectively. The results of this study can help state departments to implement the AGR scheme.

Farmers’ Willingness to Pay for Tank Maintenance and Conservation – An Economic Valuation Approach

Contingent Valuation Method involves a resource by imputing a monetary value on the response of the people affected by the change in the state of the resource. In this study, contingent valuation method is used to study the factors influencing farmers decision on willingness to pay and payment levels for tank maintenance and conservation and to rank the reasons for farmers willingness to pay and non-willingness to pay. Two tanks surrounding the Noyyal river in Tirupur district of Tamil Nadu namely, Manickapuram tank and Anaipalayam tank were selected purposively. A quota of 30 farmers surrounding each tank were randomly selected and interviewed for willingness to pay after clearly explaining the benefits of tank rehabilitation, maintenance and conservation. The collected data were analyzed using Logistic, Multiple regression and Garette ranking technique. The study revealed that past benefit had a greater influence on farmers decision on Willingness to pay. Age, Education, Farm income, Farming experience and Land holding influences the payment levels. The study also identified and ranked the reasons for farmers willingness to pay and non-willingness to pay. Finally, the study recommends the farmers to construct small percolation ponds for improving the quality of groundwater.

Identification of Site Specific Interventions for Yarehalli Micro-watershed Using Geospatial Techniques

The 761.2 acres of the Yarehalli micro-watershed in the Channagiri taluk of the Davanagere district served as the study's site. In 2017 the rainfall recorded was 931.8 mm of total rainfall, of which kharif rainfall made up 60.2%, rabi rainfall 20.1%, and summer rainfall 19.6%. This study's goal is to pinpoint the site-specific interventions that should be made in accordance with the Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development (IMSD) principles. The sites are located by superimposing thematic maps of slope, runoff potential, soil permeability, and stream order created with ArcGIS. The findings indicate that 57.31% of the overall area is suitable for check dam construction, compared to 23.17% for agricultural ponds, 8.57% for percolation ponds, and 1.12% for gully plugs. Locations for the water harvesting constructions that collect water in the structures are indicated.

Effect of sponge city construction on urban waterlogging reduction in semi-humid areas of China

Abstract Urban waterlogging frequently occurs in semi-humid areas due to the short duration of heavy rainfall in summer and the high rates of subsurface hardening caused by high-intensity urban development. To solve the problem of urban waterlogging, China has launched the construction of ‘sponge cities’ and made some progress, but there is still a lack of comprehensive consideration of the functional types and spatial layout of low impact development (LID) facilities. Qian'an, a city of Hebei Province, is one of the first sponge city pilot cities in China. This paper focuses on Yanshan South Road and its surrounding areas, a historical waterlogging section of Qian'an city. Four common LID measures (sunken green space (SG), bioretention ponds (BP), infiltration ponds (IP), and reservoirs (RE)) in two function types are selected and combined through centralized (CE) and decentralized (DE) different spatial layouts, a total of 80 design scenarios are proposed. Then, using the storm water management model (SWMM) to calculate the effect of each scheme on peak flow reduction under different rainfall return periods. The results showed that all LID scenarios can effectively alleviate the urban waterlogging problem, among which the schemes of DE-SG-BP (1:1), DE-IP-SG (1:1), DE-SG-IP (3:1), DE-SG-IP (1:3), and DE-SG-BP (3:1) had the highest peak flow reduction rate, up to 95.46%. The schemes of CE-RE-IP (3:1) and CE-IP-RE (3:1) had better hydrological performance in occupying less surface space, with a peak flow reduction rate of 8.68% per square meter. Therefore, the distributed layout combined with infiltration LID facilities and storage LID facilities can be used in urban built-up areas with limited land use conditions, which has a more obvious effect on reducing waterlogging.

A numerical assessment on the managed aquifer recharge to achieve sustainable groundwater development in Chaobai River area, Beijing, China

Intensive groundwater exploitation has depleted groundwater storage and led to a series of geo-environmental problems in Beijing Plain, China. Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) has been endorsed to mitigate the groundwater storage depletion and achieve groundwater sustainability. A pilot MAR has been tested in the Chaobai River catchment since 2015. An innovative large-scale MAR consisting of 9 cascade terraced infiltration ponds was proposed and its effectiveness was assessed in this study using an integrated modelling approach. The integrated model coupled the regional and local transient flow and transport processes. The transient regional flow model simulated historical groundwater level declines and storage depletion in the Beijing Plain from 1995 to 2018. The coupled regional and local flow model was used to simulate the pilot MAR test in the Chaobai River from 2015 to 2018. A significant groundwater level increase was observed nearby the pilot MAR since 2015. The transport model results indicate that approximately 40% of the infiltrated water was captured by pumping wells in the No.8 well field. The models were further used to assess the long-term effects of the large-scale MAR from 2020 to 2050. The simulation results show that the groundwater system will reach a new equilibrium state under the implementation of the large-scale MAR scheme. Almost 91% of the abstracted water in the No. 8 well field will come from the MAR infiltration. The proposed large-scale MAR is very effective in restoring the depleted aquifer storage and maintaining the groundwater abstraction in the No.8 well field. However, with the increase of the groundwater level, the infiltration rate of several ponds will decrease. Therefore, it is important to maintain a dynamic balance between artificial recharge and groundwater abstraction in order to achieve a sustainable long-term MAR operation in the region.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of a Sponge City Construction Based on the Life Cycle Cost Theory—A Case Study of the Yanshan South Road Area of Qian’an City, China

In semi-humid regions of China, annual precipitation is not evenly distributed. Heavy, summertime rainfall with a short duration frequently causes urban flooding, and annual rainfall less than evaporation results in urban water scarcity. In 2014, Hebei Province’s Qian’an city was ranked among the first group of sponge city pilot cities. This paper investigates the historically flooded section of Yanshan South Road and its surrounding area in Qian’an, focusing on the cost of resolving an urban water problem. Using the storm flood management model (SWMM) and the life cycle cost (LCC) method, the waterlogging reduction effect and life-cycle cost of various low impact development (LID) scenarios were evaluated. Six rainfall design scenarios were simulated and calculated so that the hydrological performance and cost-effectiveness could be comprehensively evaluated to establish the economic value and effectiveness of implementing LID facilities. This study found that the cost-effectiveness values of sunken green space (SG), SG + infiltration ponds (IP) (3:1), SG + IP (1:1), and SG + IP (1:3) scenarios for infiltration LID schemes were relatively high, up to 2.10. In the infiltration-storage LID scheme, the cost-effectiveness of the SG + reservoirs (RE) (1:1) was grater, which was 1.84. In semi-humid regions, the regulation and storage of rainwater, regarding its collection and use, can be widely applied to the construction of sponge cities.

Vadose Zone Transport of Tritium and Nitrate under Ponded Water Conditions

Vadose zone transport of tritium and nitrate can be important considerations at radioactive waste sites, landfills, or areas with industrial impacts. These contaminants are of particular concern because they typically have a relatively higher mobility in the subsurface compared to other compounds. Here, we describe a semiarid site with tritium and nitrate contamination involving a manmade ponded water source above a thick unsaturated zone at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, USA. This study demonstrates the value of vadose zone flow and transport modeling for the development of field investigation plans (i.e., identifying optimal borehole locations and depths for contaminant characterization), and how a combination of modeling with isotope and geochemical measurements can provide insight into how tritium and nitrate transport in the vadose zone in semiarid environments. Modeling results suggest that at this location, tritium transport is well predicted by classical multiphase theory. Our work expands the demonstrated usefulness of a standard tritium conceptual model to sites with ponded surface conditions and agrees with previous results where a standard model was able to explain the evolution of a tritium plume at an arid waste disposal site. In addition, depth-based analyses of δ18O and δ2H of pore waters helped confirm the extent of pond infiltration into the vadose zone, and the δ15N of nitrate showed that the contaminant release history of the site was different than originally assumed.

"Effect of Integrated Watershed Management Programmes on Farming in Rainfed Tracts of Tamil Nadu: An Evaluation"

"As a holistic approach, watershed development activities turn out to be very effective and convenient to manage water and land resources efficiently in the rainfed areas. The present study aimed to conduct an impact assessment of watershed development programmes in Thoothukudi, Krishnagiri, Perambalur districts of Tamil Nadu by using indicators on biological, physical, social and economic aspects. In the study area, watershed development structures are found to be satisfactory and contributed for additional storage capacity, rise in water table and prolonged water availability, increasing irrigation intensity and cropping intensity which resulted from enhanced gross cropped area, crop productivity and assured access to water. More number of water harvesting structures has to be developed by engaging private investments in constructing check dams, farm ponds, percolation ponds etc. in the farms. Creating awareness about responsibilities of stakeholders in maintenance of all the assets created in the watershed areas will ensure more empowerment of the community."

Assessment of traditional rainwater harvesting system in barren lands of a semi-arid region: A case study of Rajasthan (India)

Study regionDudu station, Rajasthan, India Study focusRainwater harvesting can be used as a method to recharge aquifers. This can happen with a variety of scales and technologies. One such example is shallow infiltration ponds (Chaukas) which recharge groundwater and increase soil moisture facilitating pastureland development. A HYDRUS-1D model was used to estimate potential groundwater recharge. The model was calibrated using field data from 2019 and validated using data from 2020. The time series of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was derived at annual scale to assess changes in the vegetation cover. New hydrological insights for the regionThe modeling revealed that an additional 5% of the rainfall depth was being recharged into the groundwater. In addition, the additional soil moisture was allowing natural grass cover to develop, which could be used by the local community as pastureland. These twin benefits that the local communities are realizing could be scaled up beyond Dudu, to India, and worldwide, as many regions have barren land that is slightly sloping, together with permeable soils, which are the only conditions for the construction of Chaukas. These Chauka systems have helped in sustainable water resources management in these water-stressed regions and the additional livelihood support through developed pastures for animal husbandry.

Landscape pattern and climate dynamics effects on ecohydrology and implications for runoff management: case of a dry Afromontane forest in northern Ethiopia

In this study, we assessed the land use land cover dynamics, rainfall trends, spatio-temporal runoff potentials, and proposed runoff management options in a dry Afromontane forest in northern Ethiopia. Satellite images (1986, 2001 and 2018) were classified using the maximum likelihood method, and responses to runoff were determined using a hydrologic model. A trend-free pre-whitening Mann–Kendall (TFPW-MK) test was used to analyze the areal weighted rainfall trends. The forest and shrubland coverage expanded (451 and 421 ha/year) between 1986 and 2001; however, the forest land showed lower rate of increment (248 ha/year) during 2001–2018 due to anthropogenic influences. The shift of bimodal rainy seasons to a monomodal with high runoff volume was experienced in 2001–2018. The TFPW-MK test revealed that the rainfall trend was statistically insignificant, but showed a decreasing pattern. In general, ecological restoration can be achieved via implementing the proposed conservation measures like percolation pond, storage tank, check dams, contour bunds, terraces, trenches, area closure and combination of these measures.

View of Saudi Arabia Strategy for Water Resources Management at Bishah, Aseer Southern Region Water Assessment

Water quality management is critical for the preservation of freshwater resources in semi-arid and arid areas, which are necessary for long-term development. Local authorities and water resource managers can allocate resources for potable or agricultural needs based on the quality of water in various places. A total of 14 water samples were collected and examined in this study. Microbiological, chemical and physical analyses were considered as important indicators for assessing water quality. Physical, chemical, and microbiological data were measured and evaluated as essential markers for determining water quality. A comparison was made between these characteristics and the King Saudi Water Standard (GSO149/2014). According to the findings, results of infiltration pond and Tabla Dam manifest the anthropogenic activities and natural influences of the greatest impact on water quality. Therefore, a reliable assessment approach for assessing water quality is very important for decision makers and for constructing sustainable development plans.

SITE SUITABILITY ANALYSIS FOR GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT IN RIVER BASIN OF INDIA

In this study, site suitability analysis for Groundwater management in river basin has been carried out by constructing runoff harvesting structures like percolation pond and check dam. The site suitability for different groundwater recharge is determined by considering spatially varying parameters like sub basin area, runoff potential, slope and fracture pattern. GIS tool used to store, analyse and integrate spatial and attribute information pertaining to drainage, runoff, slope and fracture. The SCS-CN method used to derive runoff potential in terms of runoff coefficient (ratio between the runoff and rainfall) which is classified into three classes, viz., high (>40%), moderate (20–40%) and low (<20%). IMSD specifications for water recharging /harvesting structures, parameters such as effective storage, and rock mass permeability are considered to augment effective groundwater storage. In GIS software, by using an overlay and decision tree concepts, potential water harvesting sites are identified. The derived sites are field investigated for suitability and implementation. The suitability map provides vision in selecting harvesting structures such as anicut, percolation ponds and check dams. In Luni river basin area 38 check dams and seven percolation ponds found were suitable for groundwater recharging and water harvesting.

Multidisciplinary investigations of a karst reservoir for managed aquifer recharge applications on the island of Vis (Croatia)

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) refers to a suite of methods by which excess surface water or non-conventional water is stored underground for subsequent recovery or environmental purposes. MAR solutions have been largely used in unconsolidated aquifers, while their application in karst aquifers is rare. This research presents the first results of a MAR viability study on the island of Vis, a small karstic island in the Adriatic Sea. Favorable geological and hydrogeological conditions enable the formation of karst aquifers, making the island autonomous in terms of water supply. The island’s main aquifer, exploited in the Korita well field, is protected from seawater intrusion by several hydrogeological barriers. However, climate change and high seasonal pressures related to tourism pose a threat to the future availability of freshwater. Multidisciplinary field and laboratory investigations were carried out to detail the geological and hydrogeological setting of the island and its groundwater resource. Field analyses consisted of groundwater monitoring and sampling, geophysical investigations (i.e., electrical resistivity tomography), and structural measurements. Laboratory analyses included measurements of principal cations and anions and tritium activity. Despite low precipitation during the observation period (September 2019 - December 2020), the groundwater resource at the Korita site showed stable trends of physico-chemical parameters with a good storage potential and a long-term reserve. Geophysical investigations evidenced a relatively homogeneous sequence of the rock mass at a larger scale, while structural analyses indicated the occurrence of E-W karstified and open fractures that could represent a preferential flow path in the carbonate aquifer. A MAR solution for the Vis island was proposed combining an infiltration pond scheme with the direct injection of the accumulated waters into the aquifer using available wells. The potential water source could be represented by the runoff collected in an old artificial channel and the associated pond system in Korita.

The multiple uses of water derived from managed aquifer recharge systems in Kenya and India

Abstract‘Multiple-use services’ (MUS) takes into account the fact that households use water for both domestic and for productive uses. This paper is the first to determine how managed aquifer recharge (MAR) systems are a form of MUS. Two cases were studied in India and in Kenya. In the Kenyan case, sand dams are the form of MAR, and in India check dams and infiltration ponds of various scales are used. Through observations, interviews, and water quality data, it is possible to describe how the communities access the water from these infrastructures in multiple ways for different uses, according to their water needs and the characteristics of the different access points. MAR involves harvesting rainwater and retaining run-off water into the dry season thus increasing the amount of available water and enabling diversification of water uses. It should therefore be considered as an option by water managers aiming to develop water resources meeting both the domestic and productive needs of communities.

Assessment of groundwater drought vulnerability and delineation of sites for artificial recharge – a case study

Drought impacts both surface water and groundwater, which leads to reduced supply. Groundwater drought indicates continuous depletion of groundwater level, storage and discharge. Assessment of groundwater drought conditions is necessary for effective planning of drought management strategies. In this study, the drought vulnerability of Chittur Block in Palakkad, Kerala is assessed by the occurrence of groundwater drought and is mapped using geographic information system (GIS). A strategy for the effective implementation of artificial recharge schemes is proposed to combat future drought conditions. A combination of GIS and weighted parameter approach (WPA) is employed to delineate safe, suitable locations for artificial groundwater recharge. Site specific recharging structures such as check dams, infiltration pits, injection wells and percolation ponds are recommended within the 65% area which was identified as most conducive for artificial recharge.

Impact of Artificial Infiltration on the Removal of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs during Treatment of Surface Water

The content of pharmaceuticals in natural waters is steadily increasing. Especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often detected in natural waters due to their widespread use. This group of compounds includes commonly used representatives, such as paracetamol and ketoprofen. The quality of natural waters determines the processes applied for the treatment of drinking water. The methods used in order to remove pharmaceuticals from treated water include adsorption and biologically active filtration. Both processes also occur during artificial infiltration (forced flow of intake surface water through the ground to the collecting wells) at surface water intakes. The processes, which occur in the soil, change the water quality characteristics to a great extent. The goal of the study was to evaluate the removal efficiency of paracetamol and ketoprofen in the process of artificial infiltration used as a pre-treatment of surface water. The studies were conducted at a field experimental installation located at the technical artificial infiltration intake. The experimental installation consisted of three metering wells (piezometers) which were located on the way between the bank of the infiltration pond and the collecting well. The collected water samples allowed to evaluate the change of selected NSAIDs concentrations during the passage of water through the ground. The analysis procedure included solid phase extraction (SPE) and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Removal of the studied NSAIDs in the infiltration process occurred with variable effectiveness throughout the year. Paracetamol was removed with annual efficiency equal to 42%, although no significant removal of ketoprofen was observed.

Towards a model for road runoff infiltration management

In human society, there is a demand for sustainable solutions for water preservation and efficient treatment systems. An important water reservoir is road runoff defined as rainwater leaching from roads, loading micropollutants and infiltrating the soil. We aimed to study this poorly understood feature using large-scale metabolomic analysis coupled with analysis of soil physico-chemical properties and molecular chemical similarity enrichment. A total of 2406 micropollutants were assayed to understand their distribution and assess the trapping abilities of a road runoff infiltration system composed of a sedimentation pond and an infiltration pond. Here, we confirm the essential role of the infiltration pond in preventing environmental contamination and propose a model correlating micropollutant abundance and the soil physico-chemical properties. We demonstrate that sand in infiltration ponds is a key player, helping retain 86% of the micropollutant abundance and propose a model that could be easily applied for road runoff management.

Potential of Shallow Groundwater for Household Level Irrigation Practices in Tahtay Koraro Woreda, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

This paper deals with the results of a pilot study conducted to estimate the shallow groundwater resource potential and irrigation capacity at the household level in Tahtay Koraro Woreda, northwestern zone of Tigray, Ethiopia. The potential evapotranspiration and actual evapotranspiration of the study area are estimated to be 1484 mm/year and 814 mm/year respectively. The runoff is approximately calculated to be 280 mm/year and the annual groundwater recharge is estimated to be 29 mm/year. The total annual groundwater abstraction for human, livestock, and irrigation is estimated to be 25 mm/year. It should be noted that the groundwater recharge rate is expected to remain constant while the total annual groundwater discharge is expected to increase from year to year. This relation when projected over a long period may result in a negative groundwater budget which can result in depletion of groundwater (lowering of groundwater levels), reduced baseflow to streams, and deterioration of water quality. The computed values for hydraulic conductivity of the aquifers range from 1.63 m/day to 7.27 m/day with an average value of 4.9 m/day and transmissivity from 48.9 m2/day to 218.1 m2/day with an average value of 147.14 m2/day. The aquifers in the highly weathered basalt and highly weathered siltstone – sandstone intercalation have transmissivity values ranging from 99 m2/day to 218.1 m2/day with an average value of 157 m2/day and are grouped into the moderate potentiality aquifers category. The aquifers in the slightly weathered and fractured metavolcanics grouped under low potentiality based on the lower transmissivity values (<50 m2/day). The study area has low to moderate groundwater potentiality, hence, large-scale groundwater pumping is not possible. Therefore, the current activity of using hand dug wells for household-level irrigation is the best way of using groundwater for irrigation and other uses as well. Increasing the depth of the existing hand dug wells that are constructed in highly weathered basalt and highly weathered siltstone – sandstone intercalation can also enhance the yield of the hand dug wells. It is recommended to use water-saving irrigation technologies rather than increasing the number of wells. This will also help in increasing the irrigation area. Groundwater recharge enhancement structures such as trenches, percolation ponds, and check dams be constructed in scientifically selected localities to further enhance the groundwater potential.