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Utilisation of Groundwater
Groundwater is used from ancient times as a source of water supply. The source,
however, gained tremendous popularity from 1960 onwards in India because of
its easy availability in the vast Indo-gangetic plains, particularly with the advent
of hybrid seeds in agriculture which essentially needs irrigation. Government of
India increased its fund allocation for development of groundwater for crating
development of groundwater for creating minor irrigation potential in all the states
from VI Plan onwards. It is estimated that more than 70 m.ha. land can be
irrigated by groundwater alone. In West Bengal, more than 60% of irrigated area
is covered by groundwater projects. This spurt in groundwater development
introduced new technologies, different types of Rig Machines for drilling etc.
helps in establishing industries using groundwater as a main source of water
supply.
Groundwater as a source of water supply has many advantages over surface
water source like :-
a)
It is natural reservoir where water is stored and can be used when
required;
b)
Loss through evaporation is minimal;
c)
It can withstand vagaries of nature;
d)
Chemical quality remains more or less constant;
e)
It does not need an elaborate processing unit;
f)
The project is cost effective, it can be installed where water is required.
The disadvantage are :
a)
We cannot see the resource
b)
We do not know when the water is overdrawn, unlike our bank account.
When we overdraw from the bank account, immediately our accounts
becomes red. When overdraft occurs in groundwater supply, no red
water comes out. However, with proper management, groundwater
project can run year after year without problem.
Utilisation of groundwater needs a suitable groundwater structures and a lifting
device.
