Sustainable Groundwater Management in Lucknow For Sustainable, Equitable, and Resilient Water Use

The study finds that the groundwater exploitation in Lucknow is 17 times more than the rate of recharge and projects a decline in the water table in various areas of the city.

- Dr Shresth Tayal

Underground water is a moving and renewable resource, based on annual availability of rainfall. Availability of groundwater depends on geological and climatic conditions. Annual demand of usable groundwater for the country has been estimated to be 4.5 crore hectare metres. Also, as compared to surface water, groundwater is less expensive and more qualitative. However, considering the reduction in infiltration capacity due to urbanization and its excessive withdrawal more than the recharge potential is lowering the water level in the country. Hence, it is necessary to make a thorough assessment of groundwater resources of a region and take initiatives for the sustainable management of groundwater resources. The objective of this project is to study and understand the different dimensions of groundwater resources of a city. This includes an assessment of its availability, demand, extraction, and uses in different sectors, but also looks for assessment of factors influencing the availability of groundwater. An analysis of rainfall patterns and land-use, land cover changes will help in understanding the changing patterns in recharge potential of the city aquifers. This project also seeks an assessment of groundwater quality and factors influencing its dynamics. An understanding about the other sources like surface water and its contribution in the overall supply system of the city will help in formulating the long-term sustainable groundwater management plan for the city.