5-Ground Water Conservation.

Abstract

Ground Water has assumed a critical importance to meet the ever growing needs of our nation for drinking, domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes. Though the current level of development is only about 28% in a number of areas/pockets, intensive groundwater development has led to rather critical situation and manifestation of problems like declining water levels, saline water encroachment etc. Urban centres, due to rapid expansion and industrialisation are not able to meet the growing demands of water. During severe droughts, shortage of water in extensive areas is being felt. All these areas require strict measures of conservation and augmentation of the groundwater resources potential. Various methods of artificial recharge of ground water have been briefly discussed. Indian Experiments on Artificial Recharge and the results/findings of these studieslinvestigations are briefly outlined. Importance of Sub-surface Dams and percolation tanks as means for conservation & augmentation of ground water resources, criteria for selection of sites for such structures have been briefly described. Underground dams constructed by the Central Ground Water Board at Ananganadi, Palghat district, and Odakkali, Ernakulam district, Kerala proves the technoeconomic viability of such structures. Various Types of Soil Aquifer Treatment Systems for waste Water Reuse have been briefly described and the advantages and limitations of these systems in removing the pollutants and other impurities from the water as it moves down to the groundwater through the vadose zone, have been briefly outlined.