Assessment of aquifer recharge and groundwater availability in a semiarid region of Brazil in the context of an interbasin water transfer scheme

Abstract Particularly in arid and semiarid areas, more populations rely almost entirely on imported water. However, the extent to which intentional discharge into transiting river systems unintentional leakage may be augmenting water resources for communities along down gradient of transfer scheme has not previously been subject research. The objective this study was assess both potential a large-scale (WT) increase groundwater availability by channel transmission losses large dryland aquifer system (2,166 km²) Brazil, capability receiving streams transport downstream under prolonged drought. An integrated surface-water/groundwater model developed improve estimation resources, considering spatio-temporal variability infiltrated rainfall recharge. Aquifer recharge from WT simulated drought conditions, applying an uncertainty analysis most influential fluxes parameters. annual (66 mm/year) approximately twice amount abstracted (1990–2016); however, dropped 13.9 mm/year 2012 2016, period. Under similar additional (6.89 × 106 m³/year) did compensate decrease head areas that do surround streams. Actually, is counteracted 25% natural or 50% pumping rate; therefore, alone would solve issue unsustainable management resources.