SCHOOL OF ARCHITCTURE

IPS ACADEMY

DISSERTATION
WATER PERCOLATION IN URBAN AREAS

UNDER GUIDANCE OF AR. RUTUJA BHOSALE

SUBMITTED BY

SHIVAM SHARMA
0809AR161095
 Introduction

Most of the Earth's liquid freshwater is found as stored underground in aquifers and not in the lakes and rivers.
The aquifers are also the source of base flow water for the rivers in the absence of rainfall. Groundwater plays
an important role in terms of the economic and social health of the urban population of the developing world.

Cities need to supply water in various combinations as per demands of their private, public, industrial and
commercial users. And the urbanization process has always altered the quality and quantity of the local aquifer
systems in various ways. Considering the changes in the hydrological cycle due to urbanization, it is important
to study the effect of urbanization on local water resources and especially, on easily available groundwater
source in the vicinity.
Urbanization, in general, has four immediate repercussions on the hydrological cycle: flooding (e.g. as a result
of increased soil sealing), water shortage (e.g. due to rising consumption), changes in the river and
groundwater regimes as well as water pollution
WHAT IS PERCOLATION

Water which seeps or filters through the ground without any definite channel and not part of the flow of any
waterway (eg. rain water).
Impact of urbanization on groundwater recharge and urban water balance for the city

When it rains in a city, the story is very different. Much of the land in urban areas is covered by pavement or
asphalt. Because rain can’t soak into the soil underneath, these covered areas are referred to as impermeable
surfaces. As the amount of impermeable surface increases with urbanization, so too does the amount of
runoff (see figure ).

Even when urban soil is not covered by houses, stores, parking lots, or roads, it’s often compacted.
Compaction reduces the pore space in the soil, which drastically slows the rate at which water can infiltrate,
or percolate, into the soil. Because compacted soils only let minimal amounts of water percolate through, they
act more like asphalt than functional soils.
 THE FATE OF URBAN STORMWATER RUNOFF
Urban stormwater that does not percolate into urban soils often flows directly into streams,
lakes, or the ocean either by overland flow or through storm drains that discharge directly into natural waters.

In the first case, dilute stormwater is energy-intensive to treat as wastewater plants are designed to treat more
concentrated influent. The dilute stormwater reduces the operating efficiency of the plants and so wastes energy.
In the second case, large volumes of stormwater can overwhelm the capacity of a wastewater treatment plant,
causing it to release a portion of the stormwater, combined with untreated sewage, into natural waters. This type of
event is called a “combined sewer overflow,” or CSO. Municipalities are allowed a certain number of these events
each year. But regulations are also tightening due to concerns over water quality.
➢ Challenges and Potential for Stormwater Runoff

The review and analysis of the precipitation, urban water cycle identifying the general
causes and effects of the problem of water percolation rate in urban areas

Firstly, insufficient capacity of the sewerage is deteriorated by poor runoff treatment. As a

result there are clogging and silting of collectors, as well as contamination of the surface
water body. Centralized drainage system and lack of measures directly affect the
performance of the system.

Adaption deficit means the absence of mechanisms and solutions in the form of guidelines,
action plans. There is a wide range of reasons leading to the lack of adaption to present
urban challenges including percolation rate.

The third reason is changing in precipitation pattern which has been observed for long time.

Following are the measures/techniques through which the water percolation rate in
urban areas can be increased, especially in areas where bore wells gets dryed during
summer days, hence these measures can help to percolate water where the surfaces are
hard paved:
 1. Wet Swale 2. Infiltration Trench
APPLICATION APPLICATION
Along long-volume, sidewalks, and car parks. Sidewalks
Nature strips and corridors. Car parks
Public open spaces and fields. Sports fields, recreational areas, public open space.

3. Stormwater Median 4. Pervious surface

APPLICATION
APPLICATION Pedestrian zones, Plazas.
Streets Bicycle lines.
Roads surfaces, Car parks..
Sport facilities.
 5. Curb cut and water flow path 6. Vegetated curb extension

APPLICATION APPLICATION
Bioretention cells (raingadens) Along the roads
Stormwater medians Roadway intersections
Tree pits

7. Tree pit
APPLICATION
Streets, plazas
➢ ARTIFICIAL GROUNDWATER RECHARGE

Artificial groundwater recharge is the systemized human activity of augmenting the amount of groundwater available
through works designed to increase the natural replenishment or percolation of surface waters into the groundwater
aquifers, associatng in a corresponding increase in the amount of groundwater available for abstraction. Artificial
groundwater recharge is an important technology in water resources management.

Two methods of artificial recharge:

Direct Method
Direct methods can be divided into surface recharge techniques and subsurface recharge techniques. In surface
recharge, water travels from the land surface to the aquifer by means of infiltration through the soil. The surface
is usually excavated and water is added to spreading basins, ditches, pits, and shafts and allowed to infiltrate.
Surface intïltration consists of in-channel and off-channel facilities.
Indirect Method
Indirect method include installing groundwater pumping facilities near connected surfacc water bodies to
lower groundwater levels and induce infiltration elsewhere in the drainage basin. Indirect methods include
modifying aquifers to enhance groundwater reserves.

➢ Benefits of Artificial Recharge Schemes

To maximize storage(long-term & seasonal)

Water quality improvement through dilution
Preventing saline-water intrusion & land subsidence
Reducing reduction volumes from river flow
Maintaining declining ground water levels
 COSTS OF ARTIFICIAL RECHARGE SYSTEMS

Recharge structure Approximate cost (Rs.)

Recharge pit 2,500 – 5,000

Recharge trench 3,000 – 10,000
Recharge through hand pump 1,500 – 2,500
Recharge through dug well 5,000 – 10,000
Recharge well 30,000 – 60,000
Recharge shaft Source 40,000 – 80,000

Taking into consideration already existing flooding problem, reduction in water percolation rate especially in urban
areas and the projection regarding further changes in precipitation pattern. These challenges and bringing added
values. Development of blue-green infrastructure in the densely built area not only prevent flooding but also
create vibrant public spaces, encourage healthy outdoo r activities, reduce urban heat island effect, contribute to
the biodiversity, brings nature to the city, establish a harmonious environment and attract businesses Thus, the
proposed scenario with the transformation prototypes would enhance the ecological, social, economic and
aesthetic values of the city.
Thank You