Groundwater - Explore

The Basics

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• Do you want to know the groundwater profile of your state? Refer to the comprehensive information prepared by the Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources for the natural drainage in the states of India, types of groundwater contamination and basic legislation related information on groundwater. To more, Click Here  

• The discharge from various industries affects the groundwater of the area. In India, the groundwater from various cities and towns has been affected by different industries located in the area. Similarly, groundwater is vulnerable to salinity levels, and iron, fluoride and arsenic contamination. For example, the oil refinery in Digboi of Assam has led to its groundwater being contaminated primarily with iron, and manganese, among other minerals and metals. Similarly, in Bihar, the groundwater in Patna and Bhojpur indicates arsenic contamination while Giridih, Jamui and Dhanbad indicate more of fluoride contamination.  The Central Pollution Control Board has compiled information on the types of industrial contaminants polluting groundwater in different cities and the levels of commonly found contamination in different cities or towns. To find out how your state fares in these parameters, click here

          Groundwater Quality Problems

          Statewise Contamination

• Groundwater is a common resource and often can lead to conflicts between various users. Even if one conserves or replenishes groundwater within his boundary, then it is possible for his neighbour to access the same by using pumps. Therefore a community-based effort is crucial to manage groundwater sustainability. The Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Ground Water Systems (APFAMGS) has demonstrated that a voluntary initiative by the community can influence a behavioual change in the society, leading to a community owned process to recharge ground water. In seven drought prone districts of Andhra Pradesh, thousands of farmers residing in 638 habitations spread over several hundred kilometers have voluntarily taken number of steps to reduce groundwater pumping to solve the problem of ground water depletion. Presentation-Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Ground Water Systems