Artificial recharge is not a new concept in South Africa. The Atlantis scheme near Cape Town has been operational for over 20 years, and farmers throughout the region have built numerous earth dams for the purpose of enhancing groundwater recharge. Since 1997 the Water Research Commission, the Department of Water Affairs and municipalities have supported research, feasibility studies and the implementation of schemes. Examples in Southern Africa are summarised in Section B.3 (p 38) of the Artificial Recharge Strategy.

Location of Case Studies of Artificial Recharge Projects

The full reference for this booklet is: -
Murray EC, 2004. Artificial Groundwater Recharge: Wise Water Management for Towns and Cities. Water Research Commission Report No TT 219/03.

• Atlantis: Over 20 years of infiltration with urban stormwater and treated domestic waste water. (Direct extract from 2004 WRC Booklet* (1.8MB)) and the
  Atlantis Water Resource Management Scheme :
  30 years of Artificial Groundwater Recharge
  The Report - [low resolution - 4.6MB];  
  The Report - [high resolution - 29MB].   
  Field Trip Guide to Water Resource Management Scheme
  The Field Guide  [2MB]


• Polokwane: Wastewater recharge since the 1970s. (Direct extract from 2004 WRC Booklet* (1.8MB))


• Kharkams: Small-scale borehole injection in fractured granites. (Direct extract from 2004 WRC Booklet* (5.3MB))


• Calvinia: Trial borehole injection tests and water quality assessment in fractured mudstones. (from presentation by Dr Murray (0.32MB) )


• Prince Albert: Borehole injection feasibility study in fractured sandstones 
  Prince Albert Municipality: Groundwater Management and Artificial Recharge Feasibility Study.(4.8MB)  and  Appendices (0.7MB) 


• Langebaan: Borehole injection tests in unconsolidated, confined aquifer.  Langebaan Borehole Injection Tests. (0.75MB)


• Plettenberg Bay: Borehole injection feasibility study in fractured sandstones. Bitou Municipality: Groundwater Management and Artificial Recharge Feasibility Study (5.7MB) and Appendices (3MB).


• Windhoek (Namibia): Large-scale borehole injection and water banking in fractured quartzites.


• Omdel (Namibia): Capturing and infiltrating flood runoff in the desert. (Direct extract from 2004 WRC Booklet* (3.4MB))


• Williston: Groundwater transfer from one aquifer to another via borehole abstraction and injection. (Adapted from: Murray EC and Tredoux G, 1998. Artificial Recharge: A Technology For Sustainable Water Resource Development. Water Research Commission Report No. 842/1/98, Pretoria. ISBN 1 86845 450 9. Input from Chris Esterhuyse, SRK Consulting Western Cape)

• The Prince Albert case study is an example of how an aquifer can rapidly be replenished to ensure it is full prior to the onset of summer. This example is described in detail and can serve as a guide for future studies of this nature.

• The Plettenberg Bay study provides an example of an opportunity to utilize more of the aquifer’s storage by drawing water levels down deeply and then transferring winter runoff to replenish the aquifer prior to summer.

• The Sedgefield study presents an opportunity to utilize a sand aquifer to treat the town’s waste water for re-use.

• The Langebaan study proposes a way forward after an initial borehole injection test.

• The Hermanus study looks at the possibility of diverting household roof runoff (and potentially urban runoff) into the sand aquifer for household irrigation.

• The Vermaaks River Valley assessment provides an example of opportunistic artificial recharge with storm runoff.

• The Sand Dams section gives examples of areas potentially suitable for augmenting small-scale irrigation supplies. 

• The Lephalale case study presents a recommendation of simultaneously developing wellfields and artificial recharge schemes.

• Kenhardt is an example of how an existing dam with a low assurance of supply can be used for opportunistic artificial recharge.

• Kathu provides an example of how mine water abstracted during the de-watering process can be used to replenish a town’s groundwater supplies.

The Prince Albert and Plettenberg Bay case studies include all the factors that affect the potential success of a project, and can be used as a template for other investigations.