Problems and Management of Groundwater | Geology Optional Notes for UPSC PDF Download

Groundwater Challenges

The Significance of Groundwater

• Groundwater, the water beneath the Earth's surface, represents the largest reservoir of fresh water globally.
• Although it constitutes only 0.62% of total water, it contributes around 30% of the Earth's freshwater resources.

Groundwater Usage in India

• India heavily relies on groundwater and is one of the top users of this resource.
• With a population exceeding one billion, the demand for subsurface water is exceptionally high in India.
• Approximately a quarter of the world's total groundwater extraction transpires in India, surpassing the combined extraction rates of China and the United States.

Impact of Climate Change on Groundwater

• Climate change disturbances have disrupted the natural hydrological cycle, impeding groundwater recharge processes.
• This disruption contributes to over 30% of India's populace residing in regions facing water scarcity.
• The situation is exacerbated by escalating climate change effects and rapid urban development.

These challenges underscore the critical importance of sustainable groundwater management to ensure water security for current and future generations.

Water Availability and Groundwater Management

Water availability is a crucial issue due to its connections with the environment and socio-economic well-being. Groundwater resource management faces various complex challenges:

• Unregulated Extraction:
  • Groundwater, considered a shared resource, has historically been extracted without much regulation. The rise in population, urbanization, and expansion of irrigation have contributed to increased groundwater extraction.
  • In India, the Green Revolution sparked a surge in groundwater use since the 1970s. The availability of affordable electricity led to a shift from surface water to groundwater for farming. In Punjab, only a small percentage of land is irrigated using surface water, despite multiple rivers in the region.
  • Continuous extraction has resulted in a low recharge rate, indicated by the increasing stage of groundwater extraction. Data reveals a concerning rise in extraction levels in India, with some regions exceeding 100%, necessitating immediate action to enhance groundwater management.

Excessive Irrigation in India

• Overview:
  • Groundwater irrigation, which constitutes 90% of India's current groundwater usage, gained popularity in the 1970s.
  • Benefits include socio-economic well-being, increased productivity, and enhanced livelihoods.
• Sustainability Challenges:
  • Despite efforts like using climate-friendly options such as solar-powered pumps, groundwater levels continue to decline rapidly.
  • Lack of effective soil and water conservation and management strategies hinders groundwater recharge.
• Impact of Land Use Changes:
  • Converting rangelands into agricultural areas can enhance groundwater recharge but may compromise groundwater quality.
  • Improved agricultural planning and land use management are crucial for enhancing both groundwater quantity and quality.

Understanding Groundwater Management Systems

• Poor Understanding of Groundwater Management Systems

  • The imbalance between demand and supply at the local level poses a significant challenge in India.
  • Factors contributing to this issue are often complex and not solely attributed to factors like population growth or urbanization.
  • For instance, an improvement in the economic status of a population can lead to increased demand for water resources.

• Transition to Individual Access

  • A shift has occurred towards individual access rather than a community-based approach.
  • Unclear delineation of aquifer boundaries complicates the establishment of effective management strategies.

• Localized Hydrological Variability

  • Hydrological conditions vary significantly at the local level, limiting the effectiveness of centralized management strategies.
  • Responsibility for groundwater management predominantly falls on local regulatory bodies such as the Panchayat and Municipality.

• Challenges Faced by Local Bodies

  • Studies indicate that Panchayats have played a minimal role in groundwater management due to various factors.
  • Even with governance rights and awareness, the success of community-led initiatives has been hindered by weak local institutions.
  • Technical deficiencies and financial constraints impede the ability of local bodies to address the heterogeneity of groundwater management effectively.

• Empowering Local Initiatives

  • Strengthening local institutions and enhancing their capacity can bolster pilot projects at the grassroots level.
  • Implementing interventions supported by impact assessments can facilitate informed policy-making based on empirical observations.

Groundwater Pollution Overview

• Groundwater pollution poses a dual threat, impacting both its quantity and quality.

Quality Concerns

• Water quality data from the Central Ground Water Board reveals arsenic contamination in groundwater across 154 districts in 21 states.
• Contamination arises from human activities and natural sources, compromising water quality significantly.

Challenges of Sub-Surface Pollution

• Addressing pollution at the sub-surface level proves challenging due to its location.
• Depleting water tables intensify risks, as water concentrates pollutants with decreasing levels.
• Increased demand leads to deeper digging, elevating contamination levels due to higher metal concentrations below the earth's surface.

Surface Water Influence

• Surface water pollution impacts groundwater quality as pollutants percolate through the ground layers.
• Incidents like oil leakages can alter soil structure and contaminate groundwater.

Interconnected Water Systems

• The Central Pollution Control Board identifies 351 polluted river stretches in India, emphasizing the need for holistic water system management.

Climate Change and Groundwater in India

• Impact of Climate Change:
  • Climate shocks in India exacerbate existing challenges, particularly affecting groundwater conditions.
  • Disturbances in the hydrological cycle result in prolonged floods and droughts, impacting groundwater quality and quantity.
  • Example: Flood events can increase the runoff of contaminants into groundwater.
• Depletion and Recovery of Aquifers:
  • Extended droughts can lead to aquifer depletion, which may take up to 3 years to recover.
  • Excessive pumping in affected areas can prolong the recovery period.
• Impact of Agriculture Sector:
  • Heavy subsidies on irrigation pumps and cheap electricity contribute significantly to emissions from the agriculture sector.
  • Despite efforts to promote solar pumps, a large number of diesel-based pumps are still in use.
• Need for Comprehensive Solutions:
  • Addressing the heterogeneity of groundwater conditions requires holistic solutions.
  • Policy-making should be informed by a deep understanding of the issues and a collaborative approach involving all stakeholders.
  • Example: Integrated management strategies where all entities take responsibility for groundwater sustainability.