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

Groundwater in northeast Jaipur, India, faces significant quantity and quality challenges due to overabstraction and geogenic contamination. A two-year study revealed that while anthropogenic activities primarily reduce groundwater levels, natural sources—such as high nitrate (up to 550 mg/L) and total dissolved solids (TDS >500 mg/L)—dominate water quality issues, with urbanization exacerbating these problems. However, historic reservoirs play a crucial role in improving both quantity and quality by enhancing recharge. The findings suggest that artificial recharge structures could be key to sustainable water supply management, emphasizing the need for groundwater protection in peri-urban areas.

Frommen, T., Groeschke, M., Nölscher, M., Koeniger, P., & Schneider, M. (2021). Influências antropogênicas e geogênicas em aquíferos periurbanos em regiões semiáridas: percepções de um estudo de caso no nordeste de Jaipur, Rajastão, Índia. Hydrogeology Journal, 29(3), 1261–1278. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-021-02301-7