Artificial Ground-Water Recharge by Means of Wells in Israel

Artificial recharge activities in Israel have become an indispensible component of the national water management program. Water quantities recharged by means of wells amounted in 1967-1968 to over 100,000,000 cu m per annum. The sources of supply for recharge are Lake Kinneret and various ground-water basins. Clogging of wells, attributed to silting, accumulation of organic matter and bacterial growth, is the dominant factor limiting their capacity for recharge. The performance of these wells in sandy, limestone and basalt formations is reviewed, with particular emphasis on injection rates and innovation techniques. It is shown that by operating dual-purpose wells, both for pumping and injection, their recharge capacities have been maintained for many years. Effects of recharge and pumping on the movement, displacement, and mixing of recharging and innate waters were also investigated with respect to changes in quality. Some of the economic aspects of recharge by means of wells, including estimates of costs, are evaluated.