Review of aquifer storage and recovery opportunities and challenges in India

Abstract

Managing groundwater is a global challenge as offer rises across agriculture, industry, and energy sectors, while climate change, population explosion, industrialization, and urbanization leads to a decline in surface water resources. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is one solution that can enhance long-term water sustainability by increasing the natural replenishment of groundwater supplies through the use of non-traditional water sources. India, as the largest groundwater user, is mitigating over-extraction through MAR initiatives. However, Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) provides a site-specific solution for maintaining a sustainable water supply. This approach targets densely populated regions in the Indian subcontinent, particularly those undergoing agricultural transitions, heavily dependent on groundwater for irrigation and domestic use, and facing water shortages in both ground and surface water supplies. The global land data assimilation systems (GLDAS) of 2003–2023 revealed significant groundwater and total water storage depletion in north-western India, with negative trends between − 27.816 and − 21.186 mm/year. These findings emphasize the urgent need to implement MAR systems in the Western Dry Region, Western Himalayas, and Gangetic Plains to ensure sustainable agricultural planning and management. Thus, the review paper emphasizes the potential of MAR and ASR techniques to meet both current and future demands for high-quality water while addressing the rising need for groundwater. In particular, ASR can tackle issues related to water stress, manage wastewater, alleviate flooding, prevent saltwater intrusion, lessen land subsidence, safeguard crops from damage, avert aquifer depletion, and enhance water quality. The review also discusses the significance of ASR-related groundwater resource projects in India, especially in the context of changing climatic conditions. At last, we explored ASR’s types, challenges, benefits, limitations, and recommendations for sustainable groundwater management. ASR is seen as a viable solution in India to improve water resource policies amid climate change, addressing water rights, public health, and environmental issues. These insights can help identify optimal sites in water-scarce regions of India for the deployment of specific ASR approaches aimed at enhancing water sustainability.