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Government of India

Webinar on “Managing the Shallow Aquifers in Urban Areas: A Case of Dhanbad City”

June 6, 2025

About the Event

Shallow aquifer management is becoming increasingly vital for Indian cities grappling with water stress driven by rapid urbanisation, unplanned development, and erratic rainfall patterns. These near-surface groundwater sources, accessed through wells, hand-pumps, and borewells, are critical for meeting the water needs of peri-urban and underserved communities. However, growing over-dependence, pollution, and a lack of systematic recharge mechanisms have led to their alarming depletion, calling for urgent and sustainable interventions.

To explore this challenge, a webinar was organised on 6 June 2025 for River Cities Alliance (RCA) member cities, focusing on a case study from Dhanbad, Jharkhand. Known as the coal capital of India, Dhanbad exemplifies the complex pressures on groundwater, where mining and industrial activities have severely impacted aquifer quality and availability. With only 52% of households connected to piped water, nearly half of the city’s population depends on shallow aquifers through over 2,100 extraction points, making their sustainable management critical for water security.

Recognising this urgency, the Dhanbad Municipal Corporation (DMC) conducted a comprehensive assessment of shallow aquifer usage across 108 sites in 35 of the city’s 55 wards. The study identified key recharge zones, enabling targeted interventions such as rainwater harvesting, revival of drying wells, and desilting of ponds to improve groundwater retention and recharge capacity. These efforts represent a significant step toward decentralised and community-responsive water management in a high-stress urban context.
The session began with a context-setting presentation by Dr. Uday Bhonde (NIUA), who emphasised the importance of shallow aquifer systems and introduced the goals of the Shallow Aquifer Management (SAM) project, which aims to translate research into action through on-ground pilots. This was followed by insights from Mr. Raviraj Sharma, Municipal Commissioner, and Mr. Eklavya Prasad, who shared Dhanbad’s experiences in implementing SAM and the lessons learned so far. The webinar saw enthusiastic participation from representatives of over 30 cities across states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra, reflecting the growing national relevance of sustainable groundwater management strategies.