Artificial recharge gets real

Abstract

Groundwater Artificial recharge – transferring river or dam water underground into appropriate aquifers by means of infiltration basins or borehole injection – is finally gaining some impetus in South Africa as a water conservation and storage option for municipalities. The Department of Water Affairs & Forestry (DWAF), with support from the Water Research Commission (WRC), has produced a detailed strategy on artificial recharge to encourage optimum usage of aquifers. This has already resulted in some action. Borehole injection tests (where good quality surface water is injected into heavily used boreholes) are being planned for both the West Coast District as well as Prince Albert. In addition, Plettenberg Bay on the South Cape Coast, faced with a winter rainfall pattern and heavy summer holiday season demand, is also considering artificial recharge as a possible alternative to two other more expensive options, investing in an off-channel storage dam from the Keurbooms River or a desalination plant.

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