Though Kerala receives high rainfall of the order of 3000 mm per annum, temporal variations in its occurrence lead to severe water scarcity during non-monsoon periods. In Kerala, around 50% of the population in urban areas and 80% in rural areas still depend on open wells for domestic water needs. To increase natural groundwater supply, artificial groundwater recharge has become an important frontal management strategy in the country. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay The Thrissur district administration in 2008 launched the 'Mazhapolima' project, an artificial groundwater recharge scheme to recharge domestic wells dug directly by rainwater harvesting from roofs. Till December 2012, around 8056 Mazhapolima units have been implemented in 58 Grama Panchayats with the active participation of Grama Panchayats, private agencies and beneficiaries. An attempt was made to investigate the impact of this Mazhapolima project on the underground water system in Thrissur district. Two sample areas (watersheds/GPs) very close to each other (with and without Mazhapolima) representing three physiographic regions of the district were selected for the study. Of which one sample area in each physiographic region without Mazhapolima project was selected as control areas. Analysis of hydrogeological data generated from the study area indicates that direct recharge of wells by rain collected from roofs is increasing the groundwater reservoir. The increase in usable groundwater potential with Mazhapolima is estimated for the sample area representing the highland, middle lowland and lowland is approximately 7.22, 14.08 and 43.35 million liters, respectively. The study also indicates that the impact of direct well recharge on the groundwater regime in coastal and central regions is very significant, while in highland regions it is marginal. This may be due to the relatively faster subsurface drainage in the moderate to steep topographic features of the highland region. Approximately 347 respondents participated in the social survey. Approximately 78% of respondents believe that there will be a significant improvement in groundwater availability in coastal and central areas. Approximately 68% of those interviewed believe that the improvement in groundwater availability in the highland area is marginal. In highland areas, more than 50% of respondents experience water scarcity during the summer months. Around 68% of the respondents believe that proper maintenance of the system is extremely essential for better functioning of the system. Most of the respondents (85%) believe that it is necessary to carry out periodic maintenance of the recharge systems, use quality materials and ensure the participation of beneficiaries in the implementation of the well recharge system to achieve better results. Physicochemical analysis of water samples collected during post-monsoon, monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons reveals that there is a slight decrease in pH in well water samples collected from the recharged area. In the coastal region, the salinity level in water samples collected from the recharged area was found to be relatively low. compared to samples collected from the non-recharged area. A high level of bacteriological contamination is detected in most water samples collected from the study area. This may be due to proximity to leachates/septic tanks, etc..