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The Hydrological Impacts of Retrofitted Detention Ponds for Urban Managed Aquifer Recharge in the Cape Flats, South Africa.

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Title: The Hydrological Impacts of Retrofitted Detention Ponds for Urban Managed Aquifer Recharge in the Cape Flats, South Africa.
Authors: Tanyanyiwa, Craig Tinashe, Armitage, Neil Philip, Okedi, John
Source: Water (20734441); Jan2025, Vol. 17 Issue 2, p145, 21p
Subject Terms: GROUNDWATER recharge, WATER table, SURFACE interactions, RESIDENTIAL areas, HYDROLOGIC models
Abstract: A stormwater detention pond in a low-income residential area in Cape Town, South Africa, was retrofitted to enhance its infiltration capacity and support, among other things, Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) in the Cape Flats Aquifer (CFA). Continuous field monitoring was not feasible owing to theft and vandalism risks, leading to the development of a calibrated and validated hydrological model. This model, which integrated the surface and subsurface interactions, evaluated the pond's performance under six scenarios. The scenarios included: pre- and post-retrofit (Scenarios 1 and 2); potential MAR coupled with the planned abstraction and additional MAR by the City of Cape Town in the CFA (Scenario 3); the impact of an increased infiltration area coupled with a lowered water table (Scenario 4); and climate change impacts on MAR (Scenarios 5 and 6). The study found that retrofitting increased recharge by 118% even with a high water table—i.e., 1.2 m below ground level—(Scenario 2). Scenario 3 indicated groundwater abstraction could increase MAR by up to 290% as the water table is lowered. These findings demonstrate the potential hydrological benefits of retrofitted ponds in enhancing MAR while maintaining their detention functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Abstract:A stormwater detention pond in a low-income residential area in Cape Town, South Africa, was retrofitted to enhance its infiltration capacity and support, among other things, Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) in the Cape Flats Aquifer (CFA). Continuous field monitoring was not feasible owing to theft and vandalism risks, leading to the development of a calibrated and validated hydrological model. This model, which integrated the surface and subsurface interactions, evaluated the pond's performance under six scenarios. The scenarios included: pre- and post-retrofit (Scenarios 1 and 2); potential MAR coupled with the planned abstraction and additional MAR by the City of Cape Town in the CFA (Scenario 3); the impact of an increased infiltration area coupled with a lowered water table (Scenario 4); and climate change impacts on MAR (Scenarios 5 and 6). The study found that retrofitting increased recharge by 118% even with a high water table—i.e., 1.2 m below ground level—(Scenario 2). Scenario 3 indicated groundwater abstraction could increase MAR by up to 290% as the water table is lowered. These findings demonstrate the potential hydrological benefits of retrofitted ponds in enhancing MAR while maintaining their detention functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:20734441
DOI:10.3390/w17020145