The Impact of Aquifer Recharge on Groundwater Quality

High-quality water is rare in arid and semi-arid regions like those found in the MENA countries. The hydrological cycle involves groundwater recharge, wherein water moves from the water table to the saturated zone through percolation or drainage, entering the aquifer and flowing through the vadose zone. Both natural groundwater recharge via the hydrological cycle and artificial recharge are considered mechanisms for retaining water within the subsoil. Storing water in surface reservoirs presents drawbacks, such as significant evaporation losses, the need for extensive land, sediment accumulation, structural failure risks, and susceptibility to pollution. Consequently, there is a growing interest in exploring diverse Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) technologies to function as extensive reservoirs, offering effective alternatives in various hydrogeological contexts. This chapter aims to elucidate the various types of AR techniques and their influence on groundwater quality, highlighting their potential as sustainable and efficient approaches in water management across diverse domains. MAR using Treated Wastewater (TWW) can be considered safe, provided that specific precautionary measures are implemented to ensure the quality of the effluent, and the discharge of Treated Wastewater is carefully regulated. This safeguards freshwater resources for both current and future generations.