Abstract:
Riverbank Filtration (RBF) or Bank Filtration is defined as a natural low cost pre-treatment
technique, which enables the utilisation of surface water sources such as lakes or rivers water
to pass through the natural porous sub-surface (aquifer) formation to the production well. The
porous media serves as a natural filter and reduces the suspended solids and pathogens. RBF
technique is gaining popularity in India for drinking water supply particularly in rural and
sub-urban areas. India has a lot of potential to apply this technique particularly in the
alluvium and coastal areas. Implementation of this technique in feasible areas requires an indepth
study a-priori on the hydraulic properties of the river and the hydrogeological
characteristics of the aquifer including water quality of both the domains. This paper brief
through the RBF technique, processes involved and elaborate on the feasibility, potentials and
constraints of promoting bank filtration in India.
