Ground Water Level in Urban Areas

Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is periodically monitoring the ground water levels throughout the country including urban areas on a regional scale, through a network of monitoring wells. During November 2020, the depth to water level in the urban areas of the country ranged from less than 2.0 metres below ground level (mbgl) to more than 40.00 mbgl. Further, in a major part of the urban areas of the country, the water level is in the range of 2.0 mbgl to 10.00 mbgl. In addition, deeper ground water level (more than 40.00 mbgl) has also been observed in few urban areas. State-wise details in this regard are given in Annexure I.

 In order to assess the annual change in water level, the data collected by CGWB in urban areas during November 2020 has been compared with the November 2019. Analysis of water level data indicates that about 51% of the wells monitored have registered decline in ground water levels, mostly in the range of 0.0 – 2.0 metre. Decline of more than 4.0 metre has also been observed in some of the cities. Further, rise in groundwater levels have also been observed in 48.6 % analysed wells out of which 39 % of the wells have registered rise in groundwater levels in the range of 0.0-2.0 metre. The comparative details in this regard are given in the Annexure II.