Annual Groundwater Quality Report-2024

Why in News?

Union Jal Shakti Minister Shri CR Patil has released the Annual Groundwater Quality Report for the entire country for the year 2024.

Key Points:

The groundwater quality assessment was carried out by the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB).
This report is the first report to adopt Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for groundwater quality monitoring.
It ensures uniformity in data collection, analysis and interpretation.
The use of internationally recognized methods further enhances the reliability and technical rigor of the findings.
This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the groundwater quality of India through background monitoring, trend analysis and hotspot identification.

As per the assessment, the total annual groundwater recharge in the country is estimated at 446.90 Billion Cubic Meter (BCM).
Keeping an allocation for natural discharge, the annual exploitable groundwater resource is estimated at 406.19 BCM.
Annual groundwater exploitation for all uses is 245.64 BCM.
The average level of groundwater exploitation for the country is 60.47%.
Total annual groundwater recharge has increased significantly (15 BCM) and depletion (3 BCM) in 2024 from the 2017 assessment.
Recharge from tanks, ponds and water conservation structures has shown a consistent increase over the last five assessments.
- In the year 2024, it has increased by 0.39 BCM as compared to 2023.
With respect to the year 2017, recharge from tanks, ponds and water conservation structures has increased by 11.36 BCM (from 13.98 BCM in 2017 to 25.34 BCM in 2024).

This report serves as an important scientific baseline for policy makers, researchers and stakeholders engaged in groundwater management.
It can be used by various stakeholders to take appropriate remedial measures and plan for the future.