Groundwater Recharge

Tube Recharge

View of a Tube recharge. Roof or surface water flows into a pit. In the pit there is a 3- 5 meter deep (2 inch) hole filled up with sand and a PVC pipe. At the top a sand and cloth filter.

Construction of a Tube recharge pit with a sand filter and a cloth filter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description

On option to store rainwater in the ground and avoid a well going dry is the so called Tube recharge.

Advantages compared to water storage tanks

  • – Per cubic meter, a system  (pit, well, pump) is 5 times cheaper.
  • – No water lost by evaporation
  • – Much larger storage capacity
  • – Always “fresh” water

Disadvantages compared to water storage tanks

  • – Still unknown, needs specific training
  • – Needs more field tests
  • – Can not be combined with low cost wells and pump if aquifers are over 35 meters deep
  • – Does not function in soils with very thick clays/ silty clays
  • – Volume of infiltrated water that flows into the well cannot be predicted

Information

  • Via a sand filter water is injected in the ground (Not into the aquifer)
  • Eventually water will seep into the aquifer.
  • Cost : 5 – 15 US$ (Cost of materials for a Tube recharge. Labour done by family)
  • Producers: Info at all SMART Centre.
simonGroundwater Recharge