GROUND WATER DEPARTMENT

GROUND WATER DEPARMTENT

Brief Notes on Departmental Activities

1. Introduction

The groundwater department is a multi-disciplinary scientific organization engaged in development and management of groundwater resources in the State. The department is the nodal agency for all ground water related activities in the State. The Department is engaged mainly in Groundwater levels monitoring, Groundwater Quality, Groundwater Resource Assessment and investigations of borewells sites. The department is the nodal agency to control and regulate the groundwater by imposing Groundwater extraction charges.

2. National Hydrology Project

The National Hydrology Project is World Bank assisted program in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources, Govt. of India and State Groundwater department, Telangana. The project development objective is to extent and promote the sustained and effective use of the HIS (Hydrological Information System) by all potential users concerned with water resources planning and management, both public and private, thereby contributing to improved productivity and cost effectiveness of water related investments.

3. Awareness Raising Activity

Under the National hydrology Project groundwater department conducts awareness programme on groundwater sustainability, conservation and management among the water users such as farmer, institutions, schools, colleges etc.

4. Monitoring of Ground Water Levels and Quality:

Under the National Hydrology Project, the Department has established network of 54 No. of piezometers (Observation wells) fitted with Automatic Water Level Records to know the changes in groundwater regime and water quality in the district. Ground Water Department has been preparing water quality reports for pre-monsoon (May) and post-monsoon (November) periods every year duly collecting water samples from the piezometers (observation wells).  Official department Website:  https://gwd.telangana.gov.in

5. TG-iPASS:

Under the Single Window Act for promotion of industrial development in the State, the Groundwater Department takes up detailed Hydrogeological and Geophysical investigations as per WALTA Act and gives recommendations keeping the environmental aspects in view whenever referred by the Commissioner of Industries / District Industries Department for groundwater clearances.

6. Telangana State Ground Water Extraction Rules 2023 (TGGWER):

The Groundwater extraction shall be regulated by the Telangana State Groundwater Department under the provisions of TSWALTA,2002 by imposing groundwater extraction/ restoration charges on commercial, industrial / MSME & infrastructure and mining projects and issuance of NOC Under G.O.Ms.No.15.

7. Investigation For Selection Of Well Sites For Irrigation Borewells Under Various Government Schemes:

The department takes up integrated Hydrogeological and Geophysical investigations for selection of well sites for irrigation purpose whenever referred by Tribal welfare department for Scheduled Tribes and by SC corporation for Scheduled Caste, etc. Under various schemes like

• Special Component Plan (SCP)      
• Tribal Sub Plan (TSP)

• PM-AJAY Scheme

• Indira Solar Giri Jala Vikasam Scheme etc.

8.Feasibility Surveys Under WALTA Act 2002:

The department also takes up investigations as and when referred by Mandal Walta Authority as per WALTA Act for agriculture and domestic borewells. However, all the sites selected and commissioned has to be registered with the Mandal Revenue Officer (MRO) as per WALTA Act.

Under this act “Every rig owner or an operator operating or desiring to operate in the State of Telangana shall register the rig with the authority which shall be renewable for every two years”.

The department recommends different artificial recharge structures like Roof Top Rain Water Harvesting structures, Trenches, recharge shafts, farm ponds etc for every borewell site investigations taken under various Government schemes, WALTA, Industries etc.

9. Ground Water Clearance:

Sand Mining:

The District Ground Water Department shall take up joint inspection along with officials of Mines & Geology Department and other concerned line departments whenever applications are referred by Mines & Geology Department or District Collector. Based on the inspection the groundwater clearance is accorded as per rules in force.

Check Dams / Percolation Tanks:

The Department shall take up site selection for construction of percolation tanks and check dams whenever the executive agencies such as Irrigation Department, Panchayath Raj and Rural Development Department refer. Based on the inspection the groundwater clearance is accorded as per rules in force.

Aquaculture / Fisheries Surveys

The Department shall take up site selection for construction of fisheries pond whenever the executive agencies District Fisheries Officer refer. Based on the availability of surface water sources the groundwater clearance is issued as per the rules in force.

10. Ground Water Resource Assessment:

In view of the substantial changes observed in Groundwater scenario throughout the country, the Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India proposed to the States to estimate the Groundwater resources periodically every year. This department carries out Ground Water Resource Assessment every year to assess the net groundwater availability, groundwater extraction, stage of extraction of the District. The Ground Water Department is furnishing a list of Over Exploited villages for notification to implementation the regulatory measures. Further, the planning of all Groundwater related projects is dependent on Groundwater extraction status.

The District details as per the Ground Water Resource Assessment 2025 are shown below:

1. Ground Water Availability :           35548 Ha.m
2. Ground Water Extraction :           28 Ha.m
3. Stage of Extraction :           21%
4. Category of the District :           Safe

Key Contacts:

Achievements: