Leaking Pipes Recharge Ground Water

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Abstract
Water is piped beneath cities in water mains, sewers, and storm drains. Most, if not all, of these pipe networks leak. Evidence from a ground‐water resources study for Lima, Peru and a slope stability study in Hong Kong is presented to show that leakage losses recharge ground water. The contribution of leakage to recharge is shown by ground‐water levels, ground‐water chemistry, and by water balance and ground‐water modeling studies. Estimates of the leakage quantities involved can be developed from water balance and modeling studies, and from analysis of conventional leakage detection tests carried out by water‐supply authorities. In Lima, about 40% of the average supply became recharge. Maximum areal rates of recharge for both cities were about 3000 mm/yr.

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