Introducing a Managed Aquifer Recharge Feasibility Index (MARFI): A Tool for Discursive Decision Making

Water is fundamental to the economy of Pakistan, and to many of the county’s 250 million people. Increasing groundwater use in Pakistan is occurring against a backdrop of climate change, dwindling surface water, and human population growth. Historically there has been little groundwater resource management in the country, and that little has mainly related to its use, that is to demand side management. There is some potential for Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) to contribute to groundwater supplies, that is, to supply side management. MAR is a complex process which to be effective requires consideration of social, institutional, environmental, technical, financial, and economic parameters. This paper introduces a methodology that has been developed to assess and sum the effect of multiple parameters into single numerical value, to enable the feasibility of proposed MAR projects; the “Managed Aquifer Recharge Feasibility Index (MARFI)”. MARFI was developed using a case study of an MAR project currently being implemented by the Punjab Irrigation Department in the bed of Old Mailsi Canal. MARFI is a suitable tool for examining the pre-project feasibility of any MAR scheme for contributing to wise investment decision making.