Quantifying the impacts of groundwater abstraction on Ganges river water infiltration into shallow aquifers under the rapidly developing city of Patna, India

Patna is located on the southern bank of River Ganges in Bihar, India. Rapid population growth over past few decades has driven an increase groundwater abstraction from aquifers under city. This study exeplores pumping-induced water exchange between and transient conditions 2009 2015, using a numerical simulation. The deterministic model within uncertainty quantification was used to reveal controlling factors affecting river infiltration. Modelling reveals that baseline (eno pumping) conditions, dominant (~ 91% year) flow direction aquifer river, which reverses 9% when stage high. When municipal pumping well implemented, infiltration into increases 68% year. rate found be most important factor infiltration, whilst table level sensitive distance followed by rate. Optimizing location, depth new wells area could mitigate fluvial contamination help maintain levels.