Presently climate change reports indicate that water scarcity will become increasingly prevalent in Sri Lanka’s dry zone, rendering it more susceptible to droughts. Groundwater quality in some areas of the dry zone is deteriorating due to the lack of reliable recharge for the saprolite and shallow aquifers. Additionally, coastal regions are experiencing water quality issues due to seasonal variations in both surface and groundwater. Furthermore, the rising sea levels brought about by climate change and global warming are leading to saline water intrusion.

Therefore, implementing artificial groundwater recharge mechanisms is among the most straightforward and effective strategies for water management. Various methods, such as recharge pits, recharge trenches, contour bunds, percolation tanks, recharge shafts, gully plugs, and check dams, have demonstrated their effectiveness. However, addressing existing knowledge gaps, including raising awareness about climate change and its impacts and enhancing understanding of groundwater recharge as a climate change adaptation measure, requires concerted efforts through awareness programs and government support. To tackle these challenges, a groundwater recharge model unit was established within the NWS&DB Groundwater (NW) section in Wariyapola in 2020 and has been continuing for five years, yielding promising results of drought affected villages especially in the dry zone of Sri Lanka.