Annual Ground Water Quality Report 2024

Posted 22 Feb 2025

4 min read

An image showing that 'The global use of freshwater has increased six-fold over the past 100 years, with a growth rate of about 1% per year since the 1980s (World Water Development Report, 2021). '

Why in the news?

Ministry of Jal Shakti, released Annual Ground Water Quality Report for the entire country for the year 2024.

Key Findings on Groundwater Quality in India

An image showing status of Groundwater Assessment Units.

Groundwater Usage:
- India is the largest user of groundwater and has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world.
- 87% of extracted groundwater is used in agriculture and 11% is used for domestic purposes.
Recharge: Total Annual GW Recharge has increased (15 BCM) substantially and Extraction has declined (3 BCM) in 2024 from 2017 assessment.
Groundwater Extraction Categories:
- Safe (<70%): Most states/UTs, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Maharashtra.
- Semi-Critical (70-90%): Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Puducherry, Chandigarh.
- Critical (90-100%): No states/UTs.
- Over-Exploited (>100%): Punjab, Rajasthan, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Haryana, Delhi.
Chemical Composition:
- Cations: Calcium dominates, followed by sodium and potassium.
- Anions: Bicarbonate is most prevalent, followed by chloride and sulfate.
  - Rajasthan and Gujarat experience high chloride due to natural Na-Cl formations.
- Overall Type: Calcium-Bicarbonate water.
  - Overextraction and repeated wetting-drying cycles increase salt concentration, worsening groundwater salinity.
Agricultural Suitability:
- Over 81% of groundwater samples are safe for irrigation.
- Some areas have high Sodium Absorption Rate (SAR) and Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) levels, requiring targeted interventions to prevent soil degradation.
- North-Eastern States: 100% of samples are excellent for irrigation.
Regional Variations
- Clean Water: 100% of samples met BIS standards in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Jammu & Kashmir.
- Contaminated Regions: Rajasthan, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh face widespread contamination.
- Salinity Concern: Rising electrical conductivity (EC) in Barmer and Jodhpur (Rajasthan) indicates worsening groundwater salinization.
Seasonal Trends: Electrical Conductivity (EC) and fluoride levels indicate positive effects of monsoon recharge, improving water quality.

An image showing major contaminant of groundwater in India. These include Nitrate, Fluoride, Arsenic, Uranium and Salinity

Key Factors behind Groundwater Pollution

Industrial Pollution: Discharge of untreated industrial waste (heavy metals, chemicals, solvents) contaminates groundwater.
Harmful Agricultural Practices: Excessive fertilizers and pesticides lead to nitrate contamination. Over-extraction for irrigation depletes aquifers and increases salinity.
Urbanization & Waste Mismanagement: Sewage leaks, landfill runoff, and industrial effluents pollute shallow aquifers.
Climate Change Impact: Altered rainfall patterns and overuse hinder aquifer replenishment, worsening water quality.
Institutional and Management Gaps: Multiple agencies and outdated laws (1882 Indian Easement Act) result in fragmented policies and unregulated private wells.
- Poor data and unclear aquifer boundaries make management difficult.

Steps Taken for Groundwater Management

Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL): Focuses on community participation and demand-side interventions for sustainable groundwater management in water-stressed Gram Panchayats across 7 states.
Jal Shakti Abhiyan: this initiative focused on water conservation and rainwater harvesting in water-stressed districts. It expanded as "Catch the Rain" in 2021, covering all districts nationwide.
Mission Amrit Sarovar (2022): To create or rejuvenate 75 Amrit Sarovars in every district to enhance water harvesting and conservation.
"Bhu-Neer" Portal: Provides detailed information on the legal framework for groundwater extraction, including state and national regulations
National Aquifer Mapping & Management Programme (NAQUIM): CGWB maps major aquifers, creates sustainable use plans.
Heliborne Geophysical Surveys: CGWB conducts high-resolution surveys in stressed areas, covering 1 lakh sq km in NW India.
Master Plan for Artificial Recharge: For rainwater harvesting and recharge structures.
Model Bill for Groundwater Regulation: Issued for states/UTs to regulate groundwater ns.
State Programs for Watershed Development: Many states implement watershed programs that incorporate groundwater conservation, including through MGNREGA.

Way Forward for Groundwater Management

Institutional Reforms: Create a National Water Commission (NWC) by merging CWC & CGWB for integrated water management (Mihir Shah Committee).
Legal Reforms: Separate groundwater rights from land ownership & empower local bodies for regulation.
- Formalize groundwater rights to empower marginalized communities and farmers, enabling legal access and financial opportunities.
Sustainable Water Practices
- Water-Efficient Agriculture: Promote crop diversification, drip irrigation & zero tillage.
- Rainwater Harvesting: Scale up traditional systems like Rajasthan's Johad for aquifer recharge.
- Artificial Recharge: Use recharge techniques to prevent saltwater intrusion & land subsidence.
- Blue-Green Infrastructure: Integrate green spaces (parks, trees) and blue spaces (rivers, wetlands) to rejuvenate aquifers and water bodies.
Community Empowerment: Support local programs like Telangana's Mission Kakatiya for better conservation.
- Mission Kakatiya involves development of minor irrigation infrastructure, strengthening community based irrigation management and adopting a comprehensive programme for restoration of tanks.