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Measuring groundwater supply in urban communities is particularly challenging because of the myriad man-made factors that affect hydrological extraction and recharge. Many data gaps exist because of the relatively low frequency and density of groundwater monitoring.
Our objective was to provide a more detailed picture of the urban groundwater budget for Bengaluru, India, with a specific interest in estimating pumping and recharge.
Photo: Nischal Masand / Unsplash.
Estimating groundwater budgets in developing countries is especially difficult because of the variety of water sources residents use and the inconsistency of supply.
In India, no city receives 24-hour water supply, so residents draw their water from a variety of sources, including utility piped supply, tankers, private groundwater wells, bottled water and untreated water bodies. As a result, authorities do not know the true volume of water consumed by their inhabitants.
In order to address these gaps in information, we began monitoring groundwater levels in 154 wells across Bengaluru monthly, with the aim of understanding the groundwater budget and the influences of space and time, aided by data and models. From those measurements, we were able to estimate the city’s daily water use and determine that it experienced a net negative groundwater balance.
Initiative / This initiative investigates how rapidly growing cities affect residents' wellbeing and how this interacts with the overall health of city systems.
Journal article / This paper analyzes the behavior of Bengaluru's groundwater system, using data from 154 locations throughout the city.
Perspective / Why should we rethink the old boundaries of water governance?
Journal article / This article describes the development of a groundwater sustainability plan for California's Yolo County, using a participatory decision-making process.
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