“Augmentation of groundwater by managed aquifer recharge around

a non perennial river”

S.Parimala Renganayaki and L.ElangoAnna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

“Sustainable and Efficient Domestic Water supply in Urban and Rural Areas (Session-I-Rural Water Supply)” –8-12 April, India Water Week 2013, New Delhi

MAR by Check dam

RIVERCHECK DAM

Why MAR in Chennai ?• North and south well fields• Two Desalination plant• Water transfer through pipe - Veeranam Tank • Water is diverted from Krishna canal

Rainfall - 1260 mm/year

Authorities opened the reservoir Puzhal (Red Hills)

But Still ?

War for water

The Hindu, CHENNAI, February 9, 2010

Objectives

• To identify the impact of check dam on improving the groundwater potential by Water level measurements

• To estimate the percentage of recharge from check dam

Check dam across Arani RiverLength 266mHeight 3.5mStorage capacity 0.8Mm3

Methodology

Monitoring wells in the study area

Water level Indicator

Field Multi parameter kit

Sample bottlesDGPS

1387mm 1035mm

Rainfall

Improved water level before and after construction of Check dam

Groundwater and surface water level variation

Recharge from check damInfiltration (m3) = Change in storage (m3) – Potential Evaporation (m3)

66% of the water stored by the check dam was recharged into the aquifer

Conclusion

High impactRaise in WL

3.5m

Check dam constructed at this location is able infiltrate about 38,600 m3 of water per year

THANK YOU