Karnataka   

New technique to recharge borewells

Novelty: The Aquifer Recharge System has been adopted in the fields of Mahabaleshwarappa in Muttigerahatti village in Molakalmur taluk.

Chitradurga: Farmers in Chitradurga district, who were distressed with the inadequate supply of water in their borewells, now have reason to cheer. A technique called “Aquifer Recharge System” has helped recharge the borewells.

Several farmers who have adopted the technique are happy as the groundwater level, which had drastically reduced, has now increased substantially.

Mahabaleshwarappa, a farmer and advocate by profession, has used this system in his fields at Muttigerahatti village in Molakalmur taluk. He said that after installation of the new system one year ago, complemented by good rainfall, the water level in the borewell increased by half an inch. This had helped him irrigate his crops, which was not possible previously owing to inadequate water.

Speaking of the benefits of the system, N. J. Devaraj Reddy, an expert in borewell recharging techniques, said that it had widely helped farmers in not only increasing the water-level, but also in saving on electricity. He said that the system harnessed rainwater for irrigation. In this system, an infiltration tank is constructed around the borewell; around 200 holes of 4 mm in diameter are drilled, after which the tank is filled with layers of small stones, aqua mesh and sand. A channel is constructed to take rainwater into the tank. This system helps in faster percolation of water. With an annual rainfall of 500 mm, an acre of land could get around 20 lakh litres of water, he said. In places such as Chitradurga, which are geographically conducive for the use of this system, a farmer had to spend between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 15,000, while the same system would cost Rs. 40,000 in places such as Malnad, Mr. Reddy said.

A few banks such as Grameen Bank are offering loans for borewell recharge. He said that the system had not only increased the water-level in the borewells, but even failed borewells had been recharged.

“Over 10,000 borewells in the State have been recharged with this system, while in Chitradurga district, the number is around 5,000,” he said.

He also said that the system had helped in the reduction of fluoride content, making the water potable.

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