Guidelines for artificial recharge of aquifers in the Brazilian savanna region

Abstract

This paper aims to present the general lines for the effective and numerically significant employment of artificial aquifer recharge systems in the Brazilian Savanna region. Due to the climatic characteristics as tough seasonality, geologic nature of the rocks, geomorphologic (relief patterns) and pedologic (soils types) in this region. Three distinct models to rain waters infiltration induction are considered: recharge digs, recharge trenches and recharge gutters. In the three cases the rainwater caught from the roofs by gutters and tunings is directed for the recharges systems filled by coarse gravel of high hydraulic conductivity to induce the infiltration of the water into the ground. Although obligatory by specific legislation, the effective application of artificial recharge will need the participation of partnerships with water user, government agencies, education institutions and the population as a whole. This paper brings all the necessary information to instruct the users to implant systems in their proper lands, including the synthesis of the environment knowledge of the Brazilian Savanna region, the concepts and forms of application of aquifers artificial recharge, the criteria of viability for the artificial recharge and the forms to establish it. The efficient installation in numerical significant cases will bring enormous advantages in the water resources management, including: increase of water availability in the aquifers, guarantee of maintenance of discharges to springs, reduction of overland flow, reduction in the risk of floods, decrease of erosive processes, amongst others.