Impact of reclaimed water irrigation on groundwater in an agricultural area

Abstract

Utilization of reclaimed water instead of pumpage groundwater, is an effective approach to alleviate the crisis of groundwater resources depletion in water-scare areas when the quality of reclaimed water is satisfied for irrigation. A case study of Daxing, Beijing shows that the water quality of reclaimed water is suitable for irrigation. The groundwater depth in the reclaimed water irrigation area should be more than 6 m to prevent from reaching water table. Based on the result of numerical simulation, water table could maintain the minimal groundwater depth through the utilization of reclaimed water while decreasing 50% of groundwater pumpage from 2010 to 2020.