Assessing the impact of artificial recharge on groundwater in an overexploited aquifer: A case study in the Cheria Basin, North-East of Algeria

Abstract

The Cheria region in Northeastern Algeria has been facing aquifer overexploitation by the
agricultural sector and prolonged droughts, resulting in a considerable decline in groundwater levels. This
study investigates the feasibility of implementing artificial recharge techniques to replenish the Eocene
aquifer which serves as the primary water source in the Cheria region. A 3D transient numerical model,
based on the finite difference method, was used to simulate groundwater flow from 2021 to 2031 using
Visual MODFLOW Flex. During the modelling process, three scenarios were considered: (1) including
pumping without a recharge, (2) recharge of the entire area through efficient infiltration without pumping,
and (3) artificial recharge using river water infiltration basins at two sites, Draa Douamis sinkholes and
Eocene limestone outcrops. The simulation results showed that aquifer exploitation without recharge caused
significant drawdowns, which were 3 m to 7 m in the north-eastern part and 8 m to 12 m in the central and
southern parts. In contrast, the second scenario, involving recharge without pumping, showed a rise in
groundwater levels of 2 m to 2.7 m in the north-eastern part and 3 m to 3.62 m in the central and southern
parts. The third scenario, employing artificial recharge, indicated a positive response to artificial recharge,
with increased piezometric levels at the proposed sites, signifying a beneficial impact on the aquifer. These
findings underline the potential of artificial recharge as a promising approach to address the groundwater
depletion and environmental issues in the Cheria Basin.

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