[[Image:tube recharge icon.png|right|80px]]
[[Image:TubeRechargeDrilling.jpg|thumb|right|200px| Making a borehole for the tube recharge system with a step Auger in Chimoio Mozambique, June 2006. Photo: Arrakis.]]
[[Image:TubeRecharge.jpg|thumb|right|200px| Tube recharge. Photo: H. Holtslag, DAPP Zimbabwe.]]
__NOTOC__<small-title />
Tube recharge is a low cost technology that combines manually filled holes with drainage tubes that pass through the compacted topsoil layer. Rainwater that normally evaporates or runs off into rivers now penetrates into the ground and replenishes aquifers.
Each rain event will recharge the aquifer with about 2-10 m<sup>3</sup>, depending on the size of the pond. The capacity and flow patterns of the groundwater determine the extent to which recharged water can be pumped up during the dry season.
===Suitable conditions===
The local geological situation dictates specific requirements, costs and time: if there are no stones or boulders, a 10 m hole can be made in one day or less with a drill such as a step auger or [[Hand auger - general]].
===Construction, operations and maintenance===
* Prior to placing the recharge tubes, testing is needed to determine the best sizes of tube, depth, maximum capacity of recharge, etc.
* Maintenance consists of unclogging the drainage tube by swabbing: moving a stick with a cloth up and down the drainage hole.
* Before recharge systems are applied on a larger scale, their effectiveness in a given context should be further investigated by means of smaller pilot systems.
===Costs===
* Total costs per system (drilling, tubes, labour): US$ 5 - 30.
* Step auger or Baptist drill set for holes up to 12 m (can be used for many holes): US$ 75.
If the holes are drilled by families themselves, the costs can be minimised.
==Field Experiences== ==Manuals, videos, and links===
[http://www.connectinternational.nl/files/TubeRechargeManual_short_03.pdf Draft Short Manual On Tube Recharge Methodology]. Arrakis, 2006.
===Acknowledgements===* [http://www.washdoc.info/docsearch/title/169828 Smart Water Harvesting Solutions: Examples of innovative, low cost technologies for rain, fog, and runoff water and groundwater.] (or [http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=9&ved=0CGsQFjAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.arcworld.org/downloads/smart%2Fdownloads%2Fsmart%2520water20water%2520harvesting20harvesting.pdf&ei=NXNzT7CYEIiTiQKdxviYCw&usg=AFQjCNECS9O4gaRRQadp5dd4B5RDPxTwQA&sig2=QwWuUbra7my8Dpq5c_0baw alternative link]) Netherlands Water Partnership, Aqua for All, Agromisa, et al. 2007.
