Managed Aquifer Recharge Research Articles

Identification of recharge processes and mixing patterns by using CFC's and isotopic multi-tracing (δ18O, δ2H) of groundwater in a stratified volcanoclastic aquifer of the semiarid Amazcala Basin in Central Mexico

Understanding groundwater flow is essential for quantifying recharge and identifying relevant processes in an aquifer. Hydrogeochemical models have proven to be successful in identifying origin and processes during water recharge. We integrated the hydrogeochemistry, environmental isotopes and CFC technique to develop a conceptual and a groundwater mixing model of the Amazcala aquifer in Central Mexico. Results demonstrate that groundwater recharge consists of local meteoric recharge and a regional geothermal input. The local resident groundwater component represents the primary source of groundwater contributing with an average of 56% (σ = 0.07). The second crucial component of groundwater is the contribution of the local meteoric component contribution with averages to 23% (σ = 0.05). The third component is the regional geothermal component, which on average contributes to 21% (σ = 0.03). Regional geothermal influence has been reported in several aquifers in volcanic regions. This geothermal input influences volcanic aquifers located in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and should be considered in the water balance budget. Excessive groundwater extraction raises the vulnerability of the aquifer to natural and/or anthropogenic pollution, affecting the quality of water. Understanding the hydrogeological system offers a useful framework for developing and executing Managed Aquifer Recharge strategies (MAR).

Microplastic removal in managed aquifer recharge using wastewater effluent

Microplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a pressing environmental issue, with its impacts on ecosystems and human health yet to be fully understood. This study aims to investigate the presence and distribution of MPs in the soil of a managed aquifer recharge (MAR) system, built with different reactive barriers of natural materials and irrigated with the secondary effluent of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). MPs were extracted from reactive barrier material following an approach based on the density separation of MPs with posterior oxidant digestion, combined with visual and chemical characterisation by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The results revealed the widespread occurrence of MPs in the MAR soil samples. MPs concentration in the different barrier materials ranged from 60 to 236 n kg−1. The most dominant morphologies were fragments (60%) and fibers (17%), and the most abundant colour was white (51%), followed by transparent MPs (20%). Polypropylene (PP) was detected in all the samples with an abundance of 47%, followed by polyethylene (PE, 34%). The interplay of barrier composition significantly influences the retention of MPs, with compost (T5) and woodchips (T4) exhibiting the most notable retention rates. Remarkably, the outer layers of the reactive barriers display superior retention compared to the deeper layers.The findings of this study demonstrate the good performance of the MAR system in retaining MPs and contribute to the growing body of knowledge on MPs pollution in freshwater systems while providing insights into the dynamics of MPs transport and accumulation in soil. Such information can inform the development of effective wastewater management strategies to mitigate the impacts of these pollutants on water resources and safeguard the environment.

Spatiotemporal Groundwater Storage Dynamics and Aquifer Mechanical Properties in the Santa Clara Valley Inferred From InSAR Deformation Over 2017–2022

AbstractWe used Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR)‐derived vertical land motion (VLM) timeseries during 2017–2022 to examine the compounding impacts of natural and anthropogenic processes on groundwater dynamics in the Santa Clara Valley (SCV). VLM strongly correlates (>0.75) with groundwater level in both unconfined and confined aquifers. We show that VLM in SCV is mainly driven by groundwater dynamics in deep aquifer layers below 120 m. Our results show that during the most recent drought from March 2019 to November 2021, Santa Clara County subsided up to 30 mm due to groundwater depletion, three times as large as average seasonal amplitude of VLM. Owing to the managed aquifer recharge, the region has been able to avoid unrecoverable land subsidence. We utilize InSAR data to calibrate storage coefficient and lag time related to delayed response of clay interbeds to groundwater level changes, which further serves to estimate groundwater volume loss in confined aquifer units during drought.

Understanding the global success criteria for managed aquifer recharge schemes

Water availability and quality issues will only gain importance in the future, with climate change impacts putting increasing pressure on global water resources. Dealing with these challenges requires drawing on all available water management tools, including Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR). Although MAR has seen increasing global implementation during the last half a century, it is still often overlooked as a management tool. While technical, bio-physical, and hydrogeological aspects of MAR are well researched, this cannot be said for socio-economic and other governance factors. Where information is available, this study seeks to understand the conditions necessary for MAR success. We apply fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis on 313 world MAR applications, and also model separately for high- and low-middle-income countries. Results show that sophisticated hydrogeological site understanding and scheme operation is paramount for MAR success, as is utilizing natural water sources for high value end uses. Successful high-income country MAR schemes tend to be large and utilize natural water sources and sophisticated water injection and treatment methods to augment potable water supply; while successful low-middle-income country schemes are not large, older than 20 years, and use gravity infiltration methods and (limited) no water treatment. These findings will help inform the future suitability of MAR application design and its likely success within various contexts.

Microplastics attenuation from surface water to drinking water: Impact of treatment and managed aquifer recharge – and identification uncertainties

River water can be used to recharge aquifers exploited for drinking water production. Several recent studies reported microplastics (MPs) in river water, and therefore, the potential contamination of groundwater by MPs is a growing concern among stakeholders and citizens. In this research, we investigate the fate of MPs (> 20 μm) along six different stages of a major Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR)-water supply system in Switzerland. About 20 l of water were filtered using steel meshes at each location in triplicates. In the laboratory, MPs deposited on the anodisc filters were identified using Focal Plane Array (FPA) micro-Fourier-Transform-InfraRed (μFTIR) spectroscopy. The obtained hyperspectral data were processed using the imaging software Microplastics Finder for MPs identification and classification. Our results revealed a 20-fold decrease in MPs concentration from the Rhine River bed water (112 ± 27.4 MPs/l) to after the coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation (5.5 ± 2.2 MPs/l), a further 3-fold decrease to after the sand-filtration system (1.8 ± 0.9 MPs/l), corresponding to an overall removal efficiency of 98.4 %. The MPs concentrations remained low following MAR (2.7 ± 0.7 MPs/l) through a Quaternary gravel aquifer. Activated carbon filters did not substantially further reduce MPs concentrations. The percentage of fragments (≈95 %) prevailed over fibers (≈5 %) at all locations, with fibers being longer and more abundant in the river water. Overall, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of the treatment systems to remove MPs larger than 20 μm. Finally, we calculated an uncertainty in MPs concentrations of one order of magnitude depending on the user-defined parameters inside the MPs identification and classification model. The Quality Assurance/Quality Control approach followed during laboratory analysis highlighted an accumulation of surrogate particles at the edges of the disc, which would have an impact for MPs number upscaling.

Total Dissolved Solids Risk Assessment and Optimisation Scheme of Managed Aquifer Recharge Projects in a Karst Area of Northern China

Jinan, China, is famous for its springs. However, societal and economic development over the past decades has detrimentally altered the natural water cycle in the spring area. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is an effective measure to ensure the normal gushing of springs. Balancing water resource utilisation, ecological effects, and water quality risks is not always easy to implement. This study focused on the potential effects of MAR projects that divert water from multiple local surface water sites, e.g., the Yellow River and South-to-North Water Diversion (SNWD) Project. A numerical simulation model for the entire spring area was built using MODFLOW and MT3DMS. The SNWD Project diverts water with relatively high total dissolved solids (TDS) to the Yufu River, which consequently recharges groundwater and poses a potential risk to the downstream karst water in the Jinan Spring area. Different simulation scenarios were set, and the results showed that the 90% recovery ratio scheme yields the highest TDS reduction efficiency as well as the largest karst water extraction volume. In addition, the water table remains stable as a whole. The benefits of the designed scheme are multifold, including improving water quality up to Standard III groundwater quality and meeting the water needs of the economy. The study provides a novel method of addressing the groundwater quality risks posed by artificial recharge.

Assessment of managed aquifer recharge in saline confined aquifers for freshwater storage and improved recovery: A 3D tank study under various operational conditions

Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR), a subset of Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) techniques, is a promising technique to address water scarcity issues by recharging depleted aquifers. The application of ASR in saline groundwater regions is challenging due to mixing of recharged freshwater with the ambient saline groundwater, decreasing the recoverable amount of freshwater. This paper aimed to investigate the feasibility of ASR techniques for freshwater storage and recovery in saline confined aquifers using a laboratory scale physical model (100 cm length x 30 cm width x 60 cm depth). The study then explored the impact of operational factors (freshwater storage duration, injected freshwater volume, number of injection/extraction cycles etc.) on freshwater recovery from an applied ASR. Firstly, the behaviour of stored freshwater in a saline-confined aquifer was investigated, and in the next step, the impact of ASR operational parameters on the recovery efficiency (RE) was evaluated. Along with the physical model, these effects were studied using a mathematical model (MODFLOW linked with SEAWAT) for the representative aquifer system. The movement and spreading of the stored freshwater were monitored over time. The experimental results presented in this study suggested that several factors significantly influence the efficiency of ASR systems. A negative correlation between ambient groundwater salinity and average recovery efficiency (ARE) was confirmed, with decreasing ARE observed as the salinity level increased. The injection volume of freshwater was found to have a positive influence on ARE, although the relationship was non-linear, a polynomial trend was observed. The longer freshwater was stored in the aquifer, the lower ARE was reported, indicating a negative impact of storage duration on ASR performance. Finally, the number of successive cycles of ASR operation was found to have a positive influence on ARE, but the effect decreased with each subsequent cycle. This research provided valuable insights into the application of ASR techniques for freshwater storage and its enhanced recovery in saline confined aquifers.

Retraction: Delineation of potential managed aquifer recharge sites of Kuchlak sub-basin, Balochistan, using remote sensing and GIS

Retraction: Delineation of potential managed aquifer recharge sites of Kuchlak sub-basin, Balochistan, using remote sensing and GIS

A Web-Enabled Tool for Site Suitability Mapping for Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) Using Google Earth Engine (GEE) and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)

A Web-Enabled Tool for Site Suitability Mapping for Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) Using Google Earth Engine (GEE) and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)

Can wells in the vadose zone be backflushed to regain infiltration capacity? Concept and laboratory test

Vadose zone wells (VZW), or drywells, allow for high infiltration rates combined with small area demand. Nevertheless, they are rarely used for managed aquifer recharge, since turbid water leads to gradual clogging and a reduction in infiltration capacity. Established redevelopment measures require backflushing, which is commonly considered impossible for VZWs, making them “non regenerable”. In this study, the possibility of backflushing a VZW is discussed. Key to the underlying approach is isolating the lower (clogged) section of a well and saturating its surrounding with water by infiltration via the upper (unclogged) screen. Subsequently, underpressure sucks water from the surrounding soil into the isolated section. The approach was tested with and without a gravel pack, on laboratory scale, showing a successful reversal of flow direction in both cases. The degree of redevelopment was quantified by measuring the drainage time of the well, which increased from initially 45 s without gravel pack and 40 s with gravel pack to 9,500 and 11,000 s, respectively, after clogging. After backflushing, the well with gravel pack showed a median drainage time of 95 s, which remained stable over ten cycles of clogging and backflushing. In contrast, drainage time of the well without gravel pack increased continuously to >170 s, even after vibrator application. In conclusion, it can be stated that the backflush of a VZW with the presented approach is possible and has an effect on the well’s infiltration capacity, though it seems more effective for wells with gravel pack.

Estimating the impact of vadose zone heterogeneity on agricultural managed aquifer recharge: A combined experimental and modeling study

Agricultural managed aquifer recharge (Ag-MAR) is a promising approach to replenish groundwater resources using flood water and cropland as spreading grounds. However, site selection, particularly the layering of sediment deposits in the subsurface, can greatly influence Ag-MAR efficacy as it controls water flow and solute transport in the vadose zone. In this study, we use the HYDRUS-1D software to simulate water flow and solute transport from the land surface to the groundwater table in three vadose zone profiles (LS, MS, HS) characterized by differing fractions of sand (44 %, 47 %, and 64 %). For each profile, the single- and dual-porosity models (i.e., considering or not nonequilibrium water flow and solute transport) were calibrated using observed surface ponding, soil water content, and KBr breakthrough data. Water flow and bromide transport in the profile with the lowest sand fraction (LS) were best captured using the model that considered both preferential flow and nonequilibrium bromide transport. Water flow and bromide transport in the profile with the highest sand fraction (HS) was best simulated with the model that considered preferential flow and equilibrium bromide transport. Uniform water flow and nonequilibrium bromide transport provided the best fit for the third profile (MS). The degree of preferential flow was highest in the profile with the largest sand fraction (HS), which also showed the largest flow velocities compared to the profiles with lower sand amounts (LS and MS). Preferential flow did not significantly impact the overall water balance (within 3 %), but caused a significant decrease in vadose zone travel times (bromide) by up to 38 %, relative to a single-porosity model fit. Recharge efficiency varied between 88 % and 90 %, while the average travel times from the soil surface to groundwater varied up to 119 % (from 3.6 to 7.9 days) between the three sites. This study demonstrates that similar recharge efficiency can be achieved at sites with differing soil texture profiles, but subsurface heterogeneity can substantially affect contaminant transport processes and their travel times.

An extended colloid filtration theory for modeling Escherichia coli transport in 3-D fracture networks

Microbial transport in fractured carbonate rock using enhanced solutions is a significant and neglected research topic in the literature. We propose an extended colloid filtration theory (CFT) combined with a particle-tracking following streamlines (PTFS) model for the rapid prediction of breakthrough curves (BTCs) and plumes of pathogens in three-dimensional (3-D) discrete fracture networks (DFNs). We adapted CFT in porous media to pathogen transport in fractures containing Terra Rossa (soil) deposits. As an example of the model capability, a simulation was used to predict the 3-D motion field and Escherichia coli count in groundwater originating from the Forcatella managed aquifer recharge (MAR) Facility (Brindisi, Italy) using a DFN composed of 3,900 fractures. In arid regions, MAR facilities are significant for sustaining basic human needs, such as freshwater supply for drinking and crop production. The Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique was applied to E. coli counts in the collected water samples to increase data representativeness. The pathogen transport coefficients were further supported by batch filtration tests carried out in the CNR/IRSA Laboratory (Bari, Italy). The mean E. coli attachment rate coefficient of 0.15 × 10−8 m2 d–1 (sticking efficiency = 1.1 × 10−8 m) resulted in a 2.1 log10 removal in 600 m of reclaimed water filtration. The simulation output visualized the E. coli 3-D pathways in groundwater and the positions of contaminated groundwater spring outflows on Forcatella Beach. The simulation results agreed with the mean MCMC output of E. coli concentrations in bathing water under unperturbed geochemical and environmental flow and transport conditions. However, results indicate that concentrations of pathogenic strains, parasites, and enteric viruses may enter the marine environment of MAR sites during flood periods.

Application of physical clogging models to Managed Aquifer Recharge: a review of modelling approaches from engineering fields

Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) sites suffer from the long-lasting problem of clogging. The causes of clogging are physical, biological, chemical and mechanical processes and their complex interaction, with physical clogging being recognised as the predominant process. The intrusion and deposition of particles during water recharge affect the hydraulic properties of the infiltration surface, resulting in a decline in the infiltration capacity of the site over the operating years. Cleaning operations are necessary to restore the original infiltration rates. For this purpose, assessing the risk of clogging can determine the site’s vulnerability and improve the scheme’s design. Numerical models are essential to replicate physical clogging processes and predict the decline in infiltration rates. So far, predictive tools for physical clogging assessment have been missing in MAR literature. Hence, the purpose of this study is to analyse and reorganise physical clogging models from applied engineering fields dealing with water infiltration in natural heterogeneous systems. The modelling approaches are illustrated, starting from the main assumptions and conceptualisation of the soil volume and intruding particles. The individual processes are untangled from the multiple studies and reorganised in a systematic comparison of mathematical equations relevant to MAR applications. The numerical models’ predictive power is evaluated for transferability, following limitations and recommendations for a process-based model applicable to surface spreading schemes. Finally, perspectives are given for clogging risk assessment at MAR sites from modelling and site characterisation. The predictive tool could assist decision-makers in planning the MAR site by implementing cost-effective strategies to lower the risk of physical clogging.

Fates of potentially persistent and mobile organic substances in embedded outdoor columns for artificial groundwater recharge simulation

Persistent and mobile organic micropollutants (OMP) are ubiquitously found in the aquatic environment and have a high propensity to distribute in water resources and are difficult to remediate. Managed aquifer recharge systems such as artificial groundwater recharge, produce high-quality drinking water by removing numerous OMP from the source water. In this study, the fates of selected emerging and potentially persistent and mobile OMP were investigated in outdoor columns for artificial groundwater recharge simulation. Breakthrough curves of OMP were modeled to differentiate between sorption and bio-transformation. The study showed that selected OMP were persistent in the surface water and no photo-degradation was observed, except for diclofenac. The trends of dissolved organic carbon concentrations and UV light absorption at 254 nm wavelength suggest elevated biological activity in the first 0.3 m of the columns. The study revealed that the bio-transformation of cyanoguanidine, valsartan acid and diclofenac correlated with the biological activity in the sand columns. Benzyltrimethylammonium, n-(3-(dimethylamino)-propyl)methacrylamide, 1,3-di-o-tolylguanidine, 1,3-diphenylguanidine and melamine were completely eliminated within the first 0.3 m, likely due to sorption. Less mobile compounds such as carbamazepine and adamantan-1-amine also showed sorption. Sorption was also observed for diclofenac, likely due to decreased pH along the column depth. Retardation factors of several OMP were higher in the first 0.3 m of the columns, likely due to higher organic carbon contents compared to the remaining depth. Six organic substances (for example 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonate and dimethylbenzene sulfonate) were persistent and mobile throughout the experiment. Overall, this study reveals the vital role of pH and sand organic carbon for sorption and residence time and biological activity for OMP elimination.

Scaling of groundwater flow subject to managed aquifer recharge using injection boreholes: Physical experiments and upscaled numerical models

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) holds great promise for solving the issue of groundwater resource depletion and quality deterioration in urban areas, but the scaling of groundwater flow patterns under MAR influence from controlled laboratory experiments to complex field scale conditions has not been fully resolved. This study applied physical and numerical groundwater flow experiments at the laboratory scale (100 m) along with ten numerical models at increasing spatial scales (100–103 m) for porous media representative of unconsolidated sand aquifers. We considered several spatial and temporal features that characterize groundwater flow patterns, such as the water table elevation, the thickness of the capillary fringe, the MAR lens geometry (defined as formed by the plume of artificially recharged water), the locations of stagnation points (defined as the points of convergence between ambient groundwater flow and injected water flow), and the groundwater travel times, which were examined at relative scales for comparison. The analysis showed that small-scale sandbox experiments overall underestimate the magnitude of the effects of MAR on groundwater flow pathways. The trends with increasing scales for these parameters were non-linear and could be fitted to power law relationships. These trends were more prominent at scales <20 times the size of the laboratory sand tank. Importantly, the heterogeneity of the sand material, as reflected by non-uniform spatial distributions of hydraulic conductivities (K) also had a major effect on the scaling of groundwater flow patterns, even for the relatively low degree of heterogeneity considered. Specifically, an increase in the average K and its standard deviation further exacerbates the scale dependency. This study provides insights into the appropriate scaling techniques to be used when applying small scale experimental results (e.g., from laboratory) to predict MAR-induced groundwater flow dynamics at larger field scales in moderately heterogeneous, unconsolidated sands.

Financing Managed Aquifer Recharge Projects

Financing Managed Aquifer Recharge Projects

Simulation of current and future water demands using the WEAP model in the Annaba province, Northeastern Algeria: a case study

Abstract The Annaba province in Algeria is currently facing significant challenges due to water shortages and intermittent water distribution. This study utilizes the Water Evaluation And Planning (WEAP) system to assess present and future water supply and demands in Annaba province, Algeria. Five scenarios, including a reference, climate change, desalination, leakage reduction, and water reuse, are evaluated. The analysis reveals that the region faces significant water shortages and intermittent distribution, with projected annual water demand reaching 148 Mm3 by 2070. Climate change amplifies the demand by 8%, resulting in a projected water demand of 151 Mm3 by 2070. The industrial sector exhibits the highest unmet water demand, while the domestic and agricultural sectors also face challenges. Alternative scenarios, such as water efficiency and desalination, offer potential for eliminating industrial unmet water demand. Scenario 5 (managed aquifer recharge) reduces industrial unmet water demands by 36% to 23 Mm3 by 2070, while scenario 4 (leakage reduction and water reuse) decreases unmet domestic demands to 24 Mm3. This study emphasizes the need for water management strategies including efficient water use, infrastructure investment, public education on conservation and reuse, and industry adoption of water-saving technologies. Overall, this study addresses the difficulties and challenges associated with water scarcity in Annaba province.

Application of hydrogeophysics and diagnostic plots in setting up a sustainable managed aquifer recharge scheme, West Coast, South Africa

The lack of using hydrogeophysics and hydraulic data in setting up a sustainable managed aquifer recharge scheme leads to challenges in operations and maintenance of such infrastructures. Managed aquifer recharge is an engineering and technological based water management approach that is used to maximize storage and improve groundwater security. However, this approach is under-utilized in many countries and South Africa is no exception. This study aimed at improving knowledge on aquifer dynamics for managed aquifer recharge scheme using hydrogeophysics and diagnostic plots. This study argued that integrating hydrogeophysics data and diagnostic plots for setting up managed aquifer recharge schemes lead to improved operations and maintenance through improved scientific knowledge on the dynamics of the aquifer. SkyTEM and electrical resistivity tomography data were used to delineate subsurface structures. Pumping test data were used to develop diagnostic plots, for identifying flow regimes and boundary conditions in the proposed managed aquifer recharge area. Results from geophysics investigation inferred pathways for potential managed aquifer recharge and areas to avoid. The integration of hydrogeophysics and diagnostic plots provided a more practical interpretation for the study area. It is recommended that hydrogeophysics investigation should be carried out before and after setting managed aquifer recharge scheme as it leads to enhanced decisions on groundwater usage, monitoring and management.

Unintentional Recharge of Aquifers from Small Dams and Dykes in Spain: A GIS-Based Approach to Determine a Fractional Volume

Conducting an accurate hydrological water balance at the regional and country-wide scales is paramount to assessing available water resources and adequately allocating them. One of the main components of these balances is the anthropogenic recharge of groundwater either intentionally, through managed aquifer recharge (MAR), or unintentionally, where infiltration from dams and dykes can play a significant role. In Spain, proper management of water resources is critical due to the arid to semiarid conditions prevalent in most of the territory and the relevance of water resources for maintaining a robust agricultural sector. Previous work estimated country-wide recharge from MAR at 150 to 280 Mm3/year. Recently, water authorities pointed out that, according to hydrological water balances, the total unintentional recharge volume from water courses may exceed 500 Mm3/year. The present research aims to present a new inventory of transverse structures (also referred to as small dams and dykes) in Spain and use it to estimate country-wide unintentional recharge. The inventory, compiled by the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, has 27,680 structures and includes construction and impoundment characteristics, which allow for estimating the wet perimeter and the infiltration area. To this end, structural data from the inventory were crossed through map algebra in a GIS environment with thematic layers, such as lithology, permeability, the digital elevation model, the transverse structures’ wetted area, the average groundwater levels, and a clogging correction factor. Two analytical formulas to compute infiltration from small dams and dykes were tested. The resulting volume of unintentional recharge from transverse structures ranges between 812.5 and 2716.6 Mm3/year. The comparison against regional and national water balances suggests that the lowest value of the range (i.e., 812.5 Mm3/year) is probably the most realistic. Anthropogenic recharge from MAR and transverse structures is likely in the range of 1012.5–1514.8 Mm3/year. This rough figure can help close the hydrological balance at the national and river basin levels and contribute to calibrating regional models. Furthermore, they provide an order of magnitude for anthropogenic recharge at a national scale, which is difficult to obtain.

Geospatial Assessment of Managed Aquifer Recharge Potential Sites in Punjab, Pakistan

Groundwater is a precious natural resource that is vital to various aspects of life. Punjab is experiencing groundwater stress due to urbanization and population growth, leading to overuse and reduced aquifer recharge. Sustainable groundwater supplies can only be created through better management and artificial recharge techniques. This study uses multi-influencing factor, literature-based, and combined techniques to identify and characterize groundwater-managed aquifer recharge potential sites (GWMARPSs) in Punjab. There are limitations to the previous work in this field, and these factors have not been used to estimate GWRPSs in the study area. The study uses GIS and RS techniques to overlay twelve geo-informative layers, with rainfall being the most significant factor. High-quality data and observations from the field are incorporated into the model. The study classifies the GWMARPSs into five categories, with Punjab having 0.34%, 13.29%, 60.68%, 25.26%, and 0.43% of the least, poorly, moderately, well-, and highly suitable sites. Punjab’s southern regions are least suitable for recharge, while some areas in eastern and northern Punjab are well-suited for recharge. Alluvial plains, valleys, low-lying areas, and areas with volcanic landforms are classified as least to poorly suitable zones. Model predictions are validated using piezometric level data and ROC and exhibit good performance (AUC, 0.74). This study could serve as a baseline for future groundwater research.