ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Assessment of Filtration System Efficiency
of Artificial Groundwater Recharge wells
in Lahore
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1
Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Bio Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore
2
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore
3
Pakistan Council of Research and Water Resources, Lahore
Submission date: 2021-09-14
Final revision date: 2021-11-09
Acceptance date: 2021-11-13
Online publication date: 2022-03-23
Publication date: 2022-05-05
Corresponding author
Fariha Arooj
Department of Environmental Sciences, UVAS, Department of Environmental Sciences, UVAS, 54000, Lahore, Pakistan
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2022;31(3):2625-2636
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ABSTRACT
Groundwater recharge is an important process that naturally maintains both water quantity
and quality in a given aquifer. However, aquifers of mega cities are shrinking owing to poor urban-water
planning and management especially due to lack of surface rainwater recharge systems. Therefore,
this study was designed to evaluate the efficiency of filtration system of artificial groundwater recharge
wells which is the most viable surface rainwater harvesting (RWH) techniques in urban areas. Henceforth,
a total of two artificial surface recharge wells were selected for water sampling from five different
points namely rain-gauge, runoff, silt trapper, roughing block and invert well during Monsoon Season
in Lahore and characterized in terms of Physico-chemical and microbial parameters. These recharge
wells were monitored to evaluate real-time pollutants filtration potential of storm water after every
episode of rain. The results revealed that, overall recharged water quality after filtration was quite
satisfactory because filtrate media drastically reduced the turbidity level in all examined samples. Other
parameters were also within permissible limits according to drinking water quality standards. Overall,
92.5%, 62.7%, 50.06%, 21.42%, 50%, 16.6%, 90% and 99% reduction in turbidity, conductivity,
TDS, Na, K, Ca, NO3 and coliform respectively was achieved using installed filter media which was
significant statistically (p<0.05). Henceforth, artificial groundwater recharge well is a sustainable,
cost-effective tool that reduces burden on urban aquifer, alleviate energy consumption and manage
urban rainwater runoff quality without polluting the aquifer.