Hyderabad groundwater level hits new low

Hyderabad: Diminishing water bodies, increasing concrete surfaces and lack of focus on rainwater harvesting pits by municipal bodies has led to the groundwater level being in a deplorable state in the city. In what should be an alarm call to the city administration, the ground water level (2014) in most city pockets are in negative figures compared to the last few years. This is the case even after the city received more than normal rainy days last season.

This, in turn, has increased citizens’ dependency on water tankers and environmental scientists say if appropriate steps are not taken then the city would soon turn into a complete concrete jungle.

“The general rainfall days every season is 40-42 days during mid June to September. However, in 2013, the rainy days continued till October, recording an additional 10-12 days of rainy days. As a result, an additional rainfall of 30 per cent was received,” said Mr. Ramesh, deputy director, Ground Water department.

“However, due to poor recharge, the ground water level is in minus figures in most places,” he added.
SR Nagar, Ameerpet, Saidabad, Gachibowli, Chandrayangutta, among other areas, has water levels in negative figures against last few years.

“The water tanker supply has increased from 10,000 per month last year to 14,000-15,000 every month this year,” said an official of Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWS & SB). Experts attribute this state to increased concrete surfaces and lack of proper rainwater channelising in harvesting points, diminishing water bodies and also increasing water discharge due to increased population.

“Water bodies in and around the city are the main source for recharging the groundwater table. However, hundreds of lakes that existed in the last few years are no more. Over 200 water bodies within Outer Ring Road  limits have been encroached and buildings have come up. Moreover, lack of proper channelising of rainwater into water harvesting pits instead of drainage and increased discharge of water due to increased population are the main reasons for decrease in groundwater table,” said Mr Chakri of Save Our Urban Lakes (SOUL).