FUNCTION OF RESERVOIRS IN THE ARTIFICIAL RECHARGING OF UNDERGROUND AQUIFERS: THE ALGAR AND BELCAIRE RESERVOIRS AS CASES WITH SPECIFIC RECHARGING FUNCTION

摘要

In the first part of this paper, the question of the coastal aquifers suffering problems of quantity (balance) and quality (salinization) is examined and the beneficial effect on these of the recharging induced by the reservoirs is described, all of which is illustrated by diverse reservoirs of the Jiicar River Basin. This fact not initially intended, but currently borne out by experience, has served as a fundamental idea for projecting reservoirs with the a priori mission of provoking the artificial recharging of aquifers. In the second part of the paper, it is therefore proposed to include a new use of reservoirs: the recharging of aquifers as an environmental corrective measure, for a sustainable exploitation of the continental water resources. Among the reservoirs being developed in the basin with this purpose, are the AIgar reservoir, (currently under construction), and the Belcaire, recently projected. Through the cases examined, it is shown how the regulation produced by the reservoir allows an improved exploitation of the surface resources, taking advantage of the additional regulating capacity of the aquifers in an environmentally more favourable approach.