With low recharge rate of water bodies due to less rainfall in the span of three months (January — March), the national Capital may face water scarcity situation in the near future. Kalkaji, Vasant Vihar, Hauz Khas and Rajouri Garden areas, where water level is quite good but water level has gone down in areas such as Gandhi Nagar, Sadar Bazar, Parliament Street, Civil lines and Paharganj.
According to a report, total annual recharge in the national Capital is 10127 Million Cubic Meter (MCM). “Highest rainfall was recorded in Narela, Najafgarh and in Huaz Khas areas while lowest recharge was recorded in Karol Bagh , Shahdra, Sadar Bazar and Kotwali areas.
Importantly, the water providing agency — Delhi Jal Board (DJB) also relies on ground water to meet Capital's daily demand of water. According to a report on Delhi Aquifer Mapping, National Capital has more saline aquifers as compared to potable water.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) in its recent report has stated that Delhi has total 13,491Million Cubic Meters (MCM) of ground water but out of this 10,285MCM is saline.
CGWB Hydro-geologists believe that this quantity of water can reduce the dependence on neighboring states during water scarcity situations. “Our latest study on ground water has concluded that capital has enough potential to tackle water scarcity circumstances. Although thickness of fresh water is limited in some districts but saline water is present at shallower depths, Instance - Auchandi , Qutabgarh and Bankner areas of North-West district,” they said.
Interestingly, 11 tehsils have been identified where ground water levels are high for the safe extraction. Moreover, 120 MCM can be extracted from these. However, hydrologists have cautioned that places like Asola Bhatti are being over exploited. “ As a result the ground water level in Asola has gone down to 500 -600 feet below the ground level ,” the official said.
Significantly, report has also pointed out over exploited areas; such as Preet Vihar, Vivek Vihar , Chankyapuri, Seelampur , Hauz Khas , Rajouri Garden and Connaught Place where water levels are extremely deep.
Highlighting the ground water levels in major districts, CGWB report stated that in East District , thickness of fresh water aquifers is more at locations like - Kalyanpuri , Kondli and Shkarpur up to 60 meters below to ground level whereas in North East district , thickness of fresh water aquifer is ore around Yamua flood plain. CGWB report further stated that fresh water sediments are followed by saline water and then by Delhi Ridge. “In East district, thickness of fresh water aquifers is meters,” the report stated.
The official said that thickness of fresh water in major part of the state varies from 20 meters to 40 meters. “No fresh water is available in Saraswati Vihar, Narula tehsil of Northwest and Najafagrah,” the report stated.