What is meant by aquifer recharge?

Aquifer recharge refers specifically to the process by which groundwater is replenished, making it a crucial aspect of sustainable water resource management. It involves the natural infiltration of water from surface sources, such as rainfall or rivers, into the underground aquifer systems. This replenishment is essential for maintaining the water table and ensuring that aquifers remain viable sources of drinking water and irrigation.

Through aquifer recharge, the balance between groundwater extraction and natural replenishment is maintained, preventing issues such as groundwater depletion and land subsidence. This process can also occur artificially through methods such as managed aquifer recharge, where surface water is deliberately directed to recharge areas.

The other options do not accurately define aquifer recharge:

• Drilling for groundwater refers to the extraction aspect, not the replenishment process.

• Using rivers for irrigation relates to surface water management rather than groundwater recharge.

• Treating surface water involves processes for making surface water safe for use, which differs fundamentally from the concept of replenishing groundwater resources.