ARTIFICIAL RECHARGE TO GROUNDWATER THROUGH DUGWELLS

(DUGWELL RECHARGE SCHEME)

Introduction

1.1	Ground Water plays a vital role in food production, drinking water supply, drought mitigation, economic development etc. besides environment sustenance in the country. As per the latest Ground Water Resource Assessment out of 385 Blocks in Tamil Nadu, 142 Blocks are over-exploited, 33 blocks are critical and 57 blocks are semi-critical. Many areas of the State underlain by hard rock aquifers having limited storage potentials are facing acute problems of over-exploitation and depletion of Ground Water Resources. Beside the problems of Ground Water depletion, the fluoride contamination of Ground Water are prevalent in the State.

1.2	Artificial Recharge of Ground Water is one of the most efficient Ground Water Management tools for controlling decline in Ground Water levels, resource augmentation and increased sustainability of wells besides mitigation of Ground Water quality problems.

1.3	Keeping in view the concerns regarding the problems of over-exploitation of Ground Water Resources in the State as well as to ensure sustainable Water Resource Management and assured irrigation facilities in the affected areas, a scheme on Artificial Recharge to Ground Water through dug wells has been prepared.