S. Packialakshmi ¹, S. Balaji ¹, T. Kumaresan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Civil Engineering, Sathyabama University, Chennai – 600119, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Artificial recharge of groundwater using treated wastewater continues to rise, especially in arid and semi-arid countries. Artificial recharge as a means to enhance the natural supply of groundwater aquifers is becoming increasingly important in groundwater management. The present pilot study aims to planning and designing of artificial recharge structures for an ideal housing complex using treated waste water generated within the complex. Basic operational water requirement is estimated to quantify the water to be recharged for a balanced and sustainable water recharge cycle. The study estimated the volume of generated waste water as well as rainfall runoff water from the ideal housing complex. The rate of natural ground water recharge, rainfall runoff and total treated effluent available for recharge is estimated as additional or alternative source of recharge. Detailed Hydro geological study has been carried out to explore subsurface profile by drilling the bore holes in different locations inside the study area. A confined aquifer was found at a level of 4m to 8m in decreasing levels. The soil stratum below the aquifer was found impervious. Hence boring of recharge shafts up to a depth of 4m to reach a confined aquifer layer will be the best suitable method for recharging the aquifer. The depth of aquifer is varying from 3m to 6m. Water fluctuation during monsoon and non-monsoon period was found to be around 5m. The estimated water demand is 1.6 MLD. Based on the Rational Formula, the runoff quantity is estimated as minimum of 13.48 MLD and maximum of 55.47 MLD. Thus the study identifies the significant quantity of runoff from the study area during the monsoon periods. The total estimated effluent available for recharge is estimated as 1.28 MLD. By considering the sources available, hydro geological conditions, the recharge pond and recharge shaft is designed. It encourages not only the maximum utilization of available natural resources but it helps in reducing the demand for freshwater and sustaining the vulnerable resources for future.

Keywords

Artificial Recharge, Chennai Metropolitan Area, Groundwater, Treated Waste Water, Hydrogeology, Recharge Shaft

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S. Packialakshmi ¹, Meheli Deb ¹, Hrituparna Chakraborty ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Civil Engineering, Sathyabama University, Chennai - 600 119, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Groundwater is an essential and valuable natural source of water supply all over the world. To meet out the rising demand it is crucial to identify and recognize the fresh water resources and also to find out remedial methods for improvement of water quality. The present study aims in determining the groundwater quality in and around Sholinganallur area, Kancheepuram District. Sholinganallur is a suburban town of Chennai city situated on the southern IT corridor of Chennai in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The increase in growth of Sholinganallur’s economy, population density and infrastructure developments aggravated the stress on water and land related issues. The areal extent of a study area is 46.25 km2 from Navalur to Karapakkam. The Water Quality Index explains overall quality at certain location and time, based on several physio-chemical parameters. It provides anexcellent representation of overall quality of water for various purposes in the arena of water management. Water samples were collected from ten sampling points and tested for several physiochemical parameters like pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Hardness, Alkalinity, Sulphates, Nitrates, Chloride and Fluoride. Further the study uses Arc GIS for mapping the water quality to identify the spatial variation in groundwater quality. From the study, the presence of high TDS occurs in most of the locations and the ground water quality status of the selected area is found to be critical. Further the study identified potential suggestive measures and recommendations.

Keywords

Chennai, GIS Mapping, Groundwater, Piper Diagram, Quality Index

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