sustainable development of ground water resources in Shirpur taluka

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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF GROUND WATER

RESOURCES IN SHIRPUR TALUKA OF DHULE

DISTRICT ,MAHARASHTRA,INDIA.

S.B.KHANAPURKAR *

ABSTRACT

1/3 of the total area of Shirpur taluka is covered by Tapi Alluvium and

2/3 portion is covered by Deccan Basalt.In Tapi Alluvium and as well as in Deccan

Basalt multiaquifer system occurs.In Basalt alternate layers of weathered basalt and

hard massive basalt are observed. In the same manner in Tapi alluvium alternate layers

of yellow silt , sand and boulders can be noticed.The effective porosity of sand bed in

Tapi Alluvium is about 30%. The sand beds were fully saturated during the post faultig

period. The excessive development of this aquifer system to cater to the ever increasing

needs of irrigated agriculture mainly the cash crops like ,Banana,Sugar Cane etc,had

affected the availability of ground water. Sustainability of groundwater as main source

of drinking water in rural areas has been affected due to indiscriminate withdrawl of

this source.In absence of any regulatory measures to control groundwater development,

the farmers were resorting to incessant groundwater pumping to meet the water

requirement of cash crops.The groundwater based drinking water schemes were the

first casualty of such a development. Due to overexploitation of groundwater resources

,groundwater levels declined and all the dugwells in the Tapi Alluvium in Shirpur

taluka dried in 1990. Average depth of the dugwells in this area is 40 metres. Even the

tubewells having depth of about 150 to 200 metres have become dry. As the semi

pervious alternate layers of silt transmit very little water situation was becoming more

critical day by day.A well, having depth of about 50 metres and which is about 3 metres

away from the main canal flowing for 2 to 3 months is dry for last 20 years.Even after

heavy rainfall the wells are dry.This clearly shows that there is very little lateral and

vertical percolation through the yellow silt.

In Basalt area due to the change in nature of rainfall (Heavy rainfall

within short duration ,only runoff and very little percolation) aquifers though having

effective porosity to the tune of 2.5 to 3 % hardly fully saturate.That is why dugwells

and borewells in Deccan Basalt hardly yielding water maximum up to December.There

was severe scarcity after December for drinking water as well as for irrigation.Only

Kharip crop was possible,

________________________________________________________________________

• Project Director (Water Conservation) Priyadarshini Sahakari Soot Girni,Ltd Shirpur

and Retired Sr.Geologist from G.S.D.A. Govt. of Maharashtra

• Address_ Plot No 51 B,Bansilal Nagar, Shahada Road,Shirpur ,Tah.Shirpur

,Dist.Dhule

• Mob.No 982236639

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Drying of wells and tubewells in alluvial area and insufficient availability

of water after December in the Deccan Basalt area were the main problem of the

Shirpur Taluka.To change the whole scenario and make available perennial water to

this rainfed area was the main object of the project.

Due to the vagaries of rainfall and specific geological formations there

was less percolation against heavy withdrawl .To overcome this problem 14 small

streams in the project area were widened up to 20 to 30 metres and deepened up to 10 to

15 metres from its origin in the Basalt and Alluvial area .In this manner the impervious

layer of yellow soil in alluvium and hard massive trap in Basalt were removed and 65

cement plugs of appropriate dimension without gates and wasteweir were

constructed.Hence this project is named as ‘ANGIOPLASTY IN WATER

CONSERVATION’

Also surplus water of dams was injected into 59 dry dug wells having the

depth of 50 metres, directly with proper filtration. Due to this waterlevels both in

Alluvium and Basalt area risen to a great extent .In basalt area even dry borewells of

150 metres in depth attained waterlevel at a depth of 6 metres below ground level,and

in Alluvial area at a depth of 20 metres bgl.

This project of ANGIOPLASTY IN WATER CONSERVATION if

adopted in the whole of Maharashtra 2nd

and even 3rd

crop will be possible in all the

villages in Non-Command and Rainfed area and there will not be drinking water

problem and total eradication of tankers will be possible.

INTRODUCTION

Shirpur taluka has a geographical area of 837.39 sq.km. It has a cultivable

area of 653.77 sq.km,( 78.07% ), forest area of about101.09 sq.km.,land not available for cultivation is 82.53 sq.km. Out of the cultivable total area under irrigation is about 84.61(

12.94 % ) The occurrence and distribution of rainfall in the Shirpur taluka is highly

erratic.The annual normal rainfall is 617 mm received over 36 days. Surface water resources in the Taluka are unevenly distributed.This resources is also not assured as it depends on

rainfall.Irrigation projects in the taluka cover only small area in south eastern part of the taluka . As a result of this ,the use of groundwater for irrigation ,drinking water and industrial

purposes has increased many folds.In entire taluka intensive development of groundwater has

lead to critical situations resulting in manifestations of problems like declining groundwater

levels,shortage of water supply, etc.This situation warrants for taking up programmes to

augment groundwater resources on strong lines in the whole taluka.

In this paper, groundwater resources in different formations of the entire

taluka ,its utilisation ,problems caused due to excessive utilization of groundwater,methods to

be adopted in conserving the scarce resources and recharging the aquifers have been

discussed.

CLIMATE

The climate of this taluka is on the whole dry except during the south-west monsoon season.The year may be divided in to four seasons.The cold season from December

to February is followed by the hot season from March to May.The south –west monsoon

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season which follows thereafter lasts till September.October and November the post monsoon

season.

RAINFALL

The average annual rainfall in the Taluka is 617.00 spread over 35 days

MISBEHAVIOUR OF RAINFALL IN SHIRPUR TALUKA DURING 2005 TO 2009

YEAR TOTAL

RAINFALL

NO OF

RAINY

DAYS

NO OF DAYS

OF>20 MM

RAINFALL

TOTAL

RAINFALL

DURING

THESE DAYS

% WITH

TOTAL

RAINFALL

2005 533 41 10 338 63

2006 995 41 15 796 80

2007 854 27 13 724 85

2008 621 37 13 402 65

2009 803 32 14 639 80

TOTAL 3806 178 65 2899 373

AVERAGE 761.2 35.6 13 579.8 74.6

It is interesting to note that about 75% of the total rainfall occurred during 13

days.This is the main reason of scarcity.

Evapotranspiration:

Evapotranspiration is an important parameter to decide the quality of water

available for plant growth. Evapotranspiration in this taluka is higher during the plant growth

period, thus reducing the availability of water for plant growth.

DROUGHT PRONE TALUKA

The semi arid tracts of the State which receives rainfall between 750 to 1000

mm are drought prone areas.The Shirpur taluka comes in drought prone area of the State.

HYDROGEOLOGY

The tahsil Shirpur in Dhule district falling in Tapi alluvial basin is mainly

underlain by alluvial formation with basaltic lava flows occupying hilly tract. The basaltic lava flows in hilly tract are not favourable for groundwater development but give rise to

perennial and seasonal springs. The contact of the basaltic lava flows with alluvial mountain front deposit is demarcated by a major fault.The alluvial deposits are further subdividedinto

(a)Talus and Scree deposits bordering the Satpura foot hills and (b) Alluvium consisting of

sand clays gravel.

Talus And Scree Deposits(Bazada)

The mountain front deposit consisting of talus and scree locally known as

Bazada are highly porous and have capacity to accept higher quantity of water as

recharge.The maximum thickness of this formation is not ascertained but it has been found to

be 50 m at many places.This deposit mainly consists of poorly sorted unconsolidated

formation having admixture of large to small size boulders,pebbles and gravels and coarse to

fine sand and clay in varying proportions.The groundwater occurs under unconfined

condition and depth to water level at present ranges from 50 to 60 m bgl during pre mansoon

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.Normally this zone forms potential aquifers yielding copious ground water.At present the

dug wells and shallow tubewells are dry.Previously the yield of the dug wells was ranging

from 160-200 cum /day with 3 to 4 m drawdown .The discharge of tubewells was varying

from 2.8.to 43.8 cum /hours.The specific yield of the aquifers varies from 6 to 12 per cent

and Transmissivity ranges upto 950 square m/day.The gradient of water table is between 20

to 30 m/km towards south.The quality of groundwater is excellent with TDS being less than

400 ppm .

45 METRES DRY DUGWELL IN

ALLUVIAL AREA IN SHIRPUR

TALUKA

45 METRES DRY DUGWELLIN ALLUVAL AREA IN SHIRPUR TALUKA

Alluvium

Alluvium consists of alternate layers of clay and sand ,gravels and boulders of

variable thickness.These formations occupy the central and southern parts of the Shirpur

Taluka.The thickness of alluviam at places is found to be more than 350m. Hardpan of calcareous concretions are also prevalent at many places which affects the vertical

infiltration.The groundwater at shallow depth (upto 40 m bgl) occurs under unconfined conditions and at deeper levels under semi confined to confined conditions. At present the

dug wells and shallow tubewells are dry.Previously the yield of the dug wells was ranging from 160-200 cum /day with 3 to 4 m drawdown. The discharge of tubewells was varying

from 2.8.to 30 cum /hour.

Ground Water Level Situation

The groundwater is declining continuously and declines in the range of few

centimeters to 1.8 m /year.All the wells in depth range of even 50 m are dry at places.Depth

to water level as deep as 50 m bgl has been observed.

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DISCHARGE FROM 100 M DEEP TUBEWELL HAVING 10 HP

SUBMERCIBLE PUMP IN SHIRPUR AREA

DISCHARGE OF WATER FROM 100M DEEP TUBEWELL HAVING

10 HP SUBMERCIBLE IN SHIRPUR AREA

PROBLEMS DUE TO EXISTING GEOLOGICAL FORMATION AND OVER

EXPLOITATION

Failure of dug wells As the semi pervious alternate layers of silt transmit very little water, situation

was becoming more critical day by day.A well, having depth of about 50 metres and which

is about 3 metres away from the main canal flowing for 2 to 3 months is dry for last 20

years.Even after heavy rainfall the wells are dry.This clearly shows that there is very little

lateral and vertical percolation through the yellow silt.

In Basalt area due to the change in nature of rainfall (Heavy rainfall within

short duration ,only runoff and very little percolation) aquifers though having effective

porosity to the tune of 2.5 to 3 % hardly fully saturate.That is why dugwells and borewells in

Deccan Basalt hardly yielding water maximum up to December.There was severe scarcity

after December for drinking water as well as for irrigation. Only Kharip crop was possible.

In such situation increased utilization of groundwater and tapping deeper

aquifers has resulted in drying up of deep wells.All the dugwells in the Alluvial areas and

most of the wells in the Deccan Basalt area have become dry. Now even the shallow borewells and tubewellshave gone dry and the yield in the deep borewlls dwindling.As a

result huge amount invested on dug wells, pumpsets and other development works by the individual farmers has become infructuous.The most affected are the borewells drilled for

drinking water purposes which are situated in the elevated regions.With the increased use of

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groundwater for irrigation purpose,deep borewells have been drilled in the close proximity of

the drinking water borewells.This has resulted in drying up of drinking water wells in many

parts of the taluka.

Increased unit cost on well

Depletion of shallow aquifers by excessive withdrawl has resulted in drying up of shallow wells.As a result ,through deep borewells deep aquifers were tapped.This has

increased the unit cost on the borewell construction.

Increased energy consumption

Now a days groundwater is being tapped from deeper aquifers. In view of deeper groundwater levels ,high HP pumps have been installed to draw water from deeper

levels.Thus consumption of energy has increased.

Drop in efficiency of pumps

Higher capacity pumps installed in low yielding wellshas resulted in cavilation

of pumpsets which has resulted in drop in efficiency of pumps.

Productive land left as fallow

Due to excessive withdrawl ,in many placesshallow wells / borewells have

dried up.Majority of farmers owning these wellsare small and marginal farmers who can not

afford to go in for a deeper borewell. As a result , the land ,which was once productive ,has

become fallow.

NEED FOR TECH.BASED ARTIFICIAL RECHARGE

Groundwater is a dynamic renewable resource .This resources is replenished

annually through precipitation and also through seepage of water applied for irrigation.Its occurrence and availability are controlled by the structure of the rock

formations,geomorphological and hydrogeological set up and hydrometerological conditions. Due to increased demand for domestic,industrial and agricultural needs and

limited surface water resource, there was rapid exploitation of groundwater resource.This intensive development had led to critical situations resultin in manifestation of problems like

declining groundwater levels,shortage of water supply, etc.Therefore, there was an urgent

need to check this trend and to take suitable measures to augment groundwater resources to

make the existing groundwater structures sustainable.

METHODOLOGY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL RECHARGE

STRUCTURES

Study of changing nature of rainfall,aquifer characteristics and existence of

alternate layers of pervious and impervious strata in Deccan Basalt and Alluvium in Shirpur

taluka compelled to admit that the traditional methods of artificial recharge will not be of

much use.

In Basalt area due to the change in nature of rainfall (Heavy rainfall within short duration ,only runoff and very little percolation) aquifers though having effective

porosity to the tune of 2.5 to 3 % hardly fully saturate.Considering the growing demand of water that water is sufficient at the most up to January.January onwards there is scarcity of

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water for drinking and irrigation.To overcome this problem it is necessary to ponder over

three things which are as follows

• Though the nature of rainfall is changed the aquifer should be saturated

100%

• Maintenance of constant supply of water to the aquifer to maintain the

water level

• Artificial removal of impervious layer i.e.hard massive trap in Deccan Basalt and yellow impervious soil and silt in Alluvium.This is called The Angioplasty In Water Conservation

TYPE OF ARTIFICIAL RECHARGE STRUCTURES TO BE CONSTRUCTED

Keeping in mind the above objects it was decided

1. To construct check dams on every stream, small or big, without gates

and wasteweir to augment huge storage of water following the

principle of ridge to valley

2. To deepen the stream up to15 to 20 mtres and widen up to 30 metres in

Deccan Basalt .and Alluvium.

3. To recharge the deeper aquifer in the Alluvial area of Tapi Basin

using the surplus water of the dams in the Deccan Basalt area

artificially through the dry dugwells having depth of aout 40 to 50

metres.

4.

WORK CARRIED OUT IN SHIRPUR TALUKA OF DHULE

DISTRICT OF MAHARASHTRA

Since 2004 in Shirpur taluka Tech.Based Water Conservation is under progress. Project area is about 100 sq.km. in which 65 cement bunds have been constructed

on 14 small streams.This whole area is rainfed and non-command.There are no gates and wasteweir to these bunds.Minimum storage capacity of the bund is 10 T.C.M. and maximum

is 150 T.C.M. Artficial recharge projects are completed on 59 dry dugwells. To recharge the deeper aquifers in the Alluvial area of Tapi Basin surplus water of dams at the rate of 70000

l/p/h is artificially poured by gravity in to the dry dugwells .

73Storage in Dahiwad cement bund

STORAGE IN DAHIWAD CEMENT BUND

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64

CEMENT BUND NO 7

WIDENING AND DEEPENING OF SMALL STREAM OF HAVING DIMENTION 2 METRE WIDE AND 1.5 METRE DEEP

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ARTIFICIAL RECHARGE THROUGH THE DRY DUG WELL IN ALLUVIAL

AREA OF SHIRPUR TALUKA

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RESULTS OBTAINED

• Water level in Basalt area which has depleted up to 150 metres has risen by 140

metres.Now water level is about 10 metre b.g.l. Water level in Alluvaial area

which has depleted up to 150 metres has risen by 110 metres.Now water level is

about 40 metre b.g.l.

• Now water remains in the stream up to March .Previously streams used to dry in

November.

• Drinking water problem solved. forever.

• Irrigation area increased.Now farmers are taking double crop in this rainfed and non-command area.Average per capita income increased at least by one lac Rs./Ha.

• Energy consumption decreased.Due to reduction in suction length low HP pumps

have been installed to draw water.

• Fisheries started in many villages resulting in to rise in annual income of the

farmer.

CASCADE TYPE CEMENT BUNDS

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CONCLUSIONS

Prior to the project there was severe scarcity of drinking water and water for

irrigation.Day by day the waterlevel was depleting and the farmers used to lower the pipes in

the borewells and tubewells to draw water from the deeper aquifer. 85% of the total area of

Shirpur taluka is rainfed and noncommand.After completion of the 6th

year of the project sufficient water for irrigation ,drinking and for industries is available even in summer.The

project implemented was proved to be viable and successful.

Such type of project with the Angioplasty In Water Conservation if taken on all small streams in all the mini and micro watersheds of the entire Maharashtra there will

not be tankerfed village and for all villages in rainfed and noncommand areas water will be available for second crop.Total eradication of flood and scarcity is possible maximum within

ten years.