Groundwater levels see a sharp fall in Noida in 6 yrs, ET RealEstate

NOIDA: Groundwater levels in the city are rapidly declining, with some areas recording a drop of over 16 metres in six years.

Officials said on Wednesday that the district groundwater department had installed digital piezometers at seven areas across Noida to calculate groundwater levels before and after monsoon.

Their analysis found that Bisrakh and Noida saw the highest depletion in groundwater. In 2018, water was detected in Noida at a depth of 19.9 metres before monsoon that year. This plunged over 16 metres to a depth of 36.3 metres by 2024.

Post-monsoon figures weren’t any better. The decline in the same timeframe was 14.7 metres for Noida – indicating that there was little to no effect of monsoon rains in recharging this critical resource. Similarly, Bisrakh – also a densely populated area – saw groundwater deplete by 9.4 metres before monsoon, and 11.6 metres after monsoon between 2018 and 2024.

Jewar — the district’s fastest developing region where the Noida International Airport is set to open and thrust urbanisation — saw pre-monsoon groundwater levels decline 1.3 metres over the six years. Post-monsoon levels weren’t any better. Groundwater, which was found at a depth of 6.8 metres in 2018, fell to a depth of 8.9 metres, a depletion of two metres.

Dadri and Dankaur blocks saw relatively lower depletion, and Greater Noida was the only area to see marginal increase in groundwater level, suggesting that most of the resource being extracted there was also being recharged in equal amounts.

“We are using water as if we don’t have to use it tomorrow. Nothing is being done to save groundwater. Basic actions like rainwater harvesting aren’t being carried out. Officials are just saying things on paper, but not taking any action,” said Keshav Pathak, an environmentalist.

Last month, the groundwater department surveyed 164 highrises and found that 90% of the water harvesting systems installed in these societies weren’t functioning.

Officials said that 140 societies with defunct systems had rainwater harvesting pits filled with stagnant water, which had accumulated debris and dirt, and were likely contaminating groundwater.

Hydrologist Ankita Rai of the groundwater department said rainwater harvesting systems are compulsory in all residential complexes and govt structures. “While authorities verify these systems before granting occupation and completion certificates, maintenance of such systems takes a hit afterwards,” she said.

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