Managed Aquifer Recharge monitoring: the case study of the SeTe Alcotra project

Climate change is continuously challenging water supply worldwide, enhancing the pressure on groundwater resources. The international community is working to address this issue, by developing new solutions for sustainable water management strategies. Among various adaptation measures, Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) represent an effective natural-based solution to enhance groundwater storage and mitigate drought effects. This thesis evaluates the feasibility and hydrological impacts of two MAR infrastructures located in the Province of Cuneo, in the Piedmont Region (Northwestern Italy), within the framework of the European SeTe-Alcotra project. The systems, located in the municipalities of Beinette and Tetti Pesio, were designed to increase the aquifer recharge outside irrigation periods, when water availability is higher, thus improving water supply stability throughout the year. The objective of the study is to evaluate the volume of water infiltrated through the MAR systems, and to assess their influence on the underlying aquifer, separating it from the effects of natural precipitation. A combination of field monitoring data, spatial analysis with QGIS, and temporal correlation between hydrological variables was applied to evaluate infiltration rates, delineate drainage basins, and analyse precipitation–groundwater interactions. At the Beinette site, during the study period from April to July 2025, the MAR system infiltrated a total water volume of 140,773 m^3, with an average flowrate of 50.13 m^3 h^(-1). The precipitation study, individuated three pluviometric stations representing rainfall over the Beinette basin, used to estimate the mean precipitation. A temporal lag of 10 days between precipitation and aquifer response was observed. Although MAR infiltration appeared to contribute to the rise in groundwater levels, the limited monitoring period did not allow for a clear quantification of the correlation between MAR infiltration and aquifer response. At the Tetti Pesio site, infiltration occurred only during two short events (29 April and 8 May 2025), each lasting a few hours, which did not allow for a reliable estimation of infiltrated volume or detectable aquifer response. Nevertheless, the monitoring network provided an essential framework for future analyses and establishes baseline hydrogeological conditions for the area. Thirteen pluviometric station were used to estimate the mean precipitation over the basin. Similarly, in Tetti Pesio basin, the hydrological study estimated a 10 days temporal lag between precipitation and aquifer response. The main limitations of the study are related to the short monitoring period and the limited operational activity of the MAR infrastructures. However, the results confirm the MAR potential as effective, natural-based solutions for groundwater resource enhancement. Future developments should focus on extending monitoring period, improving data resolution, and analysing recharge behaviour during dry season to better isolate MAR influence on the aquifer.