10-Efficiency study of percolation tanks in basaltic terrain using chloride mass balance method

Abstract

For meeting the growing demands of groundwater in hard rock areas, artificial or man-made percolation tanks have become important structures for augmenting groundwater recharge for future development and management of groundwater resources. To evaluate the performance of these structures, a methodology using environmental chloride mass balance is applied in two water tanks in basaltic terrain namely Pangri and Martala in Nanded to study the performance of these water tanks in augmenting the recharge to the groundwater system. The chloride concentration in Pangri tank ranges from 40 to 55 mg/I, while in Martala it ranges from 13 to 18 mg/I. The chloride concentration in up-stream and down-stream side of Pangri tank is more indicating the non-communication between tank water and well water, while that of Martala tank indicate the communication between tank water and groundwater. Based on qualitative environmental chloride studies it indicates that Pangri percolation tank is behaving like an evaporation tank and Martala tank is able to contribute some recharge to groundwater system.