A win-win solution? The promise and the social realities of aquifer storage and recovery options in rural India

Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) has been promoted as a technological solution to mitigate groundwater stress worldwide. Despite its potential, the adoption of ASR remains limited, primarily due to social and economic barriers. This study examines the socio-economic and socio-environmental impacts of a pilot ASR initiative in selected villages of South Bihar, India. By analysing the socio-economic and environmental outcomes through an interdisciplinary approach, we highlight the short-term, medium-term and long-term challenges of implementing “participatory” technology-driven interventions in resource-constrained rural communities. Our findings underscore the significance of local socio-economic conditions, participatory governance, and long-term sustainability in the diffusion of ASR technologies.