Assessing the Water Balance and Groundwater Drying Trends in Papua New Guinea: The Potential of Soil and Water Conservation for Recharge Restoration

Abstract

Groundwater stress is becoming more prevalent in Papua New Guinea, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas where shallow aquifers are essential for subsistence. This study does a quantitative water balance assessment to better understand the causes of these drying trends. The research looks into the imbalance between recharge and outflow rates in critical regions of PNG by assessing climatological and hydrological data such as rainfall, evapotranspiration, surface runoff, and groundwater extraction. Furthermore, the study assesses the effectiveness of soil and water conservation (SWC) techniques in mitigating aquifer depletion. Contour farming, vegetative cover, recharge ponds, and check dams are all being considered for their ability to improve groundwater recharge rates. Preliminary findings suggest that implementing targeted SWC treatments, particularly in highland and deforested areas, can dramatically increase groundwater recharge capacity. Finally, the study makes practical recommendations for incorporating SWC methods into local watershed and water resource management programs. This attempts to manage rising groundwater stress and maintain the long-term usage of this critical resource in Papua New Guinea.