Anthropogenic and geogenic influences on peri-urban aquifers in semi-arid regions: insights from a case study in northeast Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Rapid urbanization has exerted considerable pressure on groundwater resources in Jaipur, India. Peri-urban areas are particularly affected as the public supply infrastructure often does not reach this fast-growing fringe, which often lacks a planning strategy, leading to an informal water supply based on groundwater. At the same time, the hills and historic reservoirs located in these areas are important for groundwater recharge and, therefore, critical for sustainable groundwater-resource management. To understand the local hydrogeology and the role of anthropogenic influences, a 2-year field study was carried out in northeastern Jaipur. The aim was to develop a conceptual model on which a management concept can be built. The study comprised hydrochemical and stable isotope analyses of water samples, depth-to-water measurements, a leveling survey and geophysical investigations. The study revealed that the groundwater from both the Proterozoic hard rock and the overlying Quaternary alluvial aquifer generally does not meet the Indian drinking water thresholds for nitrate concentration and/or total dissolved solids (TDS). While anthropogenic activities are the main source of quantity problems (declining groundwater levels through overabstraction), the biggest quality problems (nitrate up to 550 mg/L and TDS >500 mg/L) are most likely of geogenic origin and only enhanced by anthropogenic impacts. Quantity and quality aspects improve significantly in areas influenced by recharge from the historic reservoirs, leading to the conclusion that artificial recharge structures may be the way forward to improving community water supply and that groundwater protection should be given priority in these areas.