CENTRAL GROUND WATER BOARD

MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

GROUND WATER INFORMATION NALGONDA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH

SOUTHERN REGION HYDERABAD JULY, 2007

CENTRAL GROUND WATER BOARD

MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

GROUND WATER INFORMATION NALGONDA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH

SOUTHERN REGION GSI Post, Bandlaguda Hyderabad-500068 Andhra Pradesh Tel: 24222508 Gram: Antarjal

BHUJAL BHAWAN, NH.IV, FARIDABAD-121001 HARYANA, INDIA TEL: 0129-2418518 Gram: Bhumijal

GROUND WATER INFORMATION NALGONDA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH By M.K. Rafiuddin

Asst. Hydrogeologist

CONTENTS CONTRIBUTORS PAGE NALGONDA DISTRICT AT A GLANCE 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1. General 1.2. Distress situation 1.3. Drainage 1.4. Land Use 1.5. Irrigation 1.6. Cropping pattern RAINFALL GROUND WATER SCENARIO 3.1 Hydrogeology 3.2 Shallow aquifer system 3.3 Deep aquifer system 3.4 Water level 3.5 Ground water resources 3.6 Ground water quality 3.7 Status of ground water development GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 4.1 Ground water development 4.2 Water conservation and artificial recharge RECOMMENDATIONS

2.0 3.0

4.0

5.0

CONTRIBUTORS
GROUND WATER INFORMATION NALGONDA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH

Principal Author M.K.Rafiuddin Asst.Hydrogeologist

Hydrometeorology & Map Generation

P.Sudhakar, Scientist-B D.V.Anjaneyulu, Asst.Hydrometeorologist B.Sarath, Draughtsman (Grade-II)

Scrutiny
B.Jaya Kumar, Suptdg.Hydrogeologist G.Sudarshan, Scientist-D

DISTRICT
1. GENERAL Location

AT A GLANCE

North Latitude East Longitude

16 25 78 40

17 50 80 05

Headquarters No. of revenue mandals No. of revenue villages Population (2001) Urban Rural Total Population density Work force Cultivators Agricultural labour

Nalgonda 59 1186 432678 2815304 3247982 227 1594666 406502 671241

Major rivers Geology

Musi and Dindi Granites, gneisses, limestones and alluvium

Soils

Red loamy soil

Agroclimatic zone

Southern Telangana and Krishna Godavari zone

2. RAINFALL Normal annual rainfall Total Southwest monsoon Northeast monsoon Cumulative departure from normal rainfall for the last 5 years -90% 753 mm 70% 18%

3. LAND USE (2005-'06) (in ha.) Forest Barren and uncultivated Cultivable waste Current fallows Net area sown 4. IRRIGATION (2005-'06) (Area in ha.) Source of irrigation Canals Tanks Dug wells Bore / Tube wells Others Net area irrigated Gross area irrigated Major irrigation projects Medium irrigation proejcts 75000 19000 46000 93000 10000 243000 374000 Nagarjunasagar Musi, Dindi Utkoor Asifnagar 5. GEOLOGY Major rock types Granites, gneisses, Limestones, alluvium 6. GROUND WATER Well census (2005-'06) Dug wells Shallow tube / bore wells Deep tube / bore wells Exploration by CGWB No. of wells drilled Major aquifer zones Aquifer parametres Transmissivity (sq.m/day) Hard rock Soft rock Storage Co-efficient Hard rock 25 to 120 470 1.6 x 10 -4 to EW-98, WT-40 35.0-80.0 m 109,380 55556 62 86000 90000 28000 305000 538000

3.5 x 10 -4 Soft rock Monitoring No. of observation wells Dug wells Piezometers Manual 15 35 (8 DWLRs + 27 manual Digital recording Range of water levels (May 2005) Minimum (m below ground level) Maximum ( m bgl) General range ( m bgl) 7. GROUND WATER RESOURCES (MCM) Net annual ground water availability Net annual draft Balance resource Stage of ground water development 8. GROUND WATER DEVELOPMENT CATEGORY No. of mandals categorised as Safe (<70 % of net available resource) Semi Critical (70 - 90 %) Critical (90 - 100 %) Over exploited (> 100 %) No. of villages notified for restricted development (by State Ground Water Authority) 9. CHEMICAL QUALITY Electrical Conductivity (micro Siemens / cm at 25 deg. C) Chloride Fluoride Nitrate (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) 1000-2500 150-500 0.5-4.25 30.0-200.0 27 25 4 3 367 1870.08 976.2 937 52% 1.4 20.43 10 to 16

GROUND WATER INFORMATION NALGONDA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH

1.0 1.1 INTRODUCTION General: Nalgonda district is one of the 23 districts of Andhra Pradesh, with a total geographical area of 14,322.4 sq.km. with 59 mandals and four Revenue Divisions inhabitating the population of 3247982(2001-census) spreading across 1186 revenue villages, with 87% of population lives in rural areas, and are mainly dependent on agriculture and other occupations. The district lies between North latitudes 16 25 and 17 50 and between East longitudes 78 40 and 80 05 forms a part of major basin of Krishna river and is covered by Survey of India toposheet Nos. 56K, 56L, 56O and 56 P. The district with headquarters at Nalgonda town is well connected with road, railway and telecommunications. Two railway lines, Secunderabad-Vijayawada and Secunderabad-Guntur pass through the district (Fig.1.).

No major industries in the district , but small scale industries are operating at Ravoor,Dondapad and Vishnupuram. The district is endowed with minerals

like limestone, clay, building materials and recently big Uranium deposits have been discovered in P.A. Pally mandal area. As for the agriculture is concerned, the main source of irrigation is groundwater being 65.90% of total gross area irrigated, where as surface water irrigation accounts for 34.09% of gross area.

There

are

seven

surface

irrigation

projects

in

the

district

viz;

Nagarjunasagar, Musi, Dindi, Asifnagar, Pendlipalkala, Shaligowraram and Bheemanpally projects. Tthere are 4404 tanks including 421 large Tanks. With

regard to groundwater abstraction structures are concerned, about 55556 bore wells and about 109380 dug wells exist in the district. Paddy is the staple food crop, which is mostly cultivated under canals, tanks and wells. The other

principal crops are Jowar,Bajra,maiz,chillies groundnut and cotton also grown as well.

The soils occurring in the district are, black cotton, alkaline and alluvial soils , of which red soils constitute 85% of the area. Black soil is found over the lime stone area, in the southeastern part of the district.

1.2 Distress situation Owing to the prevalence of drought conditions in Nalgonda district for long period, distress among the farmers have been on the rise for the last two years. As per the official sources, since May, 2004, as many as 200 farmers committed suicides in the District. Most of the farmers belong to marginal category and noncommand area, who grow rain fed crops are resorting to suicides. The main cause of the distress situation among farmers is due to following factors

1. The farmers of small land holdings go on sinking spree of dry bore holes, in thinking the hope of successful bore well by borrowing loans from private lending agencies at exorbitant interest rates. As a result, the farmers are unable to repay the piled up loans and committing suicides. 2. Cost of inputs and overall investment on crop is higher than the supporting price for procurement of grains is pushing the farmers into distress situation. 3. Because of high fluctuations in the market, farmers are not getting profitable prices for their commercial produce. As such, being pushed into indebtedness. 4. Lack of awareness regarding ground water management techniques and cropping pattern resulting in crop failures, pushing the farmers into stress. 5. Because of the frequent and long power interruptions, the farmers are unable to irrigate the crop to optimum level, resulting in crop failures and low yields.

1.3

Drainage The whole of Nalgonda district is drained by the river Krishna along with

tributaries Musi, Aler, Dindi, Halia and Peddavagu rivers, which are tributaries of Krishna river. The major Krishna river forms the southern boundary of the

district. The Krishna river enters the south western part of the district and flows along the southern boundary for a distance of about 85 kms. The Musi river is the main tributary of river Krishna. The Paler river drains eastern part of the district. The directions of all the three river coarses are controlled by two major lineaments in east-west and northwest southeast directions. All other lower order streams and nallas are controlled by minor lineaments. The district divided into 64 micro-basins.

The major river Krishna is perennial and all other rivers are seasonal and ephemeral. The overall drainage pattern in the districts is dendritic to sub dendritic and rectangular.

1.4

Land Use: The land use particulars of the district for the year 2005-2006 is presented

in Table-1 Table-1. Land Use S. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Category Area (Ha) % to the geographical area 86000 6.08 90000 6.37 120000 8.50 28000 1.98 66000 4.69 0.63 12.73 21.58 38.07 48.55 10.47

Forest Barren & Uncultivable land Land put to non-agricultural use Cultivable waste Permanent pastures and other grazing lands Miscellaneous tree crops and groves not 9000 included in the net area son Other fallow lands 180000 Current fallows 305000 Net area sown 538000 Total cropped area 686000 Area sown more than once 148000

The neat area sown is about 36.60% and the total cropped area is 48.55% of total geographical area of the District.

1.5.

Irrigation: The total gross area irrigated by various sources in 2005-2006 stood at

374000 ha, out of which the area irrigated by ground water resources was 199000 ha, which constitutes 53.20% to total gross irrigated area, whereas the area under surface water irrigation was 166000 ha., which accounts for 44.38% to gross irrigated area. The total net irrigated area was about 243000 ha, which constitutes 17..2% of geographical area (1412886 ha)

Ground water plays a predominant role in the net irrigated area by constituting to 57.20%, whereas surface water irrigation accounts for 38.63%. The details of the source-wise irrigation pattern is presented in Table 2

Table-2: Area irrigated by different sources S. No. 1 2 3 Tanks Canals Source Gross area % total (in 000 ha) 30 128 gross area 8 34.22 35.56 Net area (000Ha.) 19 75 93 % to total Net area 7.8 30.86 38.27

Tube well and filter 133 point wells

4 5 6

Dug wells Surface water Ground water

66 166 199

17.64 44.38 53.2

46 98 139

18.93 40.32 57.2

1.6

Cropping Pattern The cropping pattern is always practised with respect to climatic

conditions and availability of irrigation sources. Paddy has been a staple crop since ages in the agrarian district, which is mostly grown under canals, tanks and wells. Other principle crops like jowar, bajra, grams, are mostly rainfed crops.

The commercial crops like chillies, cotton and groundnut are grown under irrigation. In food crops, the paddy was grown in gross was 1292692 ha, which accounts for 33.9% total sown gross principle crops in the district. The net area sown is about 36.60% and the total cropped area is 42.7% of total geographical area of the district.

1.7

Studies and activities by CGWB:

Central Ground Water Board,

Ministry of Water Resources, Govt. of India, has been carrying out ground water studies since 1967, which includes basic systematic hydrogeological studies, periodical reappraising the resource estimation and ground water exploration. The Board has constructed 40 water table wells down to depth of 30 m for monitoring water levels and 98 deep exploratory bore wells down to 300 m to study hydrological parameters and ground water regime. Ground water level measurements are being carried out four times in a year and water samples are being collected every year in the month of May and are being analysed in the chemical laboratory of Hyderabad. The micro level studies were also carried out in the Fluoride affected areas. In addition, the Board is also carrying out ground water exploration by drilling deep tube wells down to the depth of 200 m in order to study various hydrogeological and hydrological parameters of the ground water regime. Conjunctive Use Studies are also carried out in the canal

command area of the District. Piezometer wells were constructed ranging from 20-30 m depth to monitor the water levels.

Mass awareness programmes were also conducted in Suryapet in order to disseminate information to farmers, village assistants, sarpanch, etc. regarding ground water management techniques and artificial recharge techniques in various parts of the District. The district functionaries, NGOs, students, etc., were trained in 2004 in the aspects of ground water management adopting the roof top rain water harvesting and artificial recharge techniques.

2.0

RAINFALL The normal rainfall of Nalgonda district is 753 mm as per the data

collected from the 56 revenue rain gauge stations located at Mandal headquarters. The rainfall ranges from 573 mm (Chintapalli) to 900 mm (Tungaturthi).

The Mandal-wise annual rainfall data for crop season from June to May in a year for the period of 2002-2005 is presented in Table-3. The mean rainfall of the district is 628 mm, 693 mm, 450 mm, 753 mm and 520 mm during 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05 respectively. The data shows that there is a deficit of rainfall during the period 2002-2003 and 2004-2005. Cumulative effect of the rainfall departure is 90% less than normal. The year 1998-99 received more than normal rainfall. The departure was highest during the period 1999-2000. The data is presented in Table 3 and Fig.2.

3.0 3.1

GROUND WATER SCENARIO Hydrogeology The Archean crystalline rocks, which occupy 90% of the district comprise

granites, gneisses, schists and intrusives. The consolidated metasedimentary rocks of Cuddapah and Kurnool system comprising limestones, quartzites and shales occupy 9% in the southern part of the district. The unconsolidated

deposits comprising alluvial sands, clay, occur as isolated and narrow patches along the major rivers and streams occupying around 1% of the area. The crystalline rocks inherently devoid of primary porosity. However,

subsequently, with dynamic process of weathering, the rocks undergo fracturing and fissuring and joints over a period of time, lead to the development of secondary porosity, which forms the repository for ground water. The ground water occurs under water table conditions in weathered zone and semi-confined and confined conditions in fractured zone.

Table 3.
MANDAL-WISE ANNUAL RAINFALL AND ITS DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL NALGONDA DISTRICT
RAINFALL(mm)
S NO MANDAL NAME

DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL 2003-04 2004-05 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05

NORMAL2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

CUMMULATIVE DEPARTURE

REMARK

1 Alair 2 B.Ramaram 3 Bhongir 4 Bibinagar 5 Chandur 6 Chendampet 7 Chilkur 8 Chintapalle 9 Chityal 10 Choutuppal 11 Damarcherla 12 Devarakonda 13 Garedepalle 14 Gundala 15 Gundlapalli 16 Gurrampod 17 Huzurnagar 18 Jagireddigudem

784 689 818 786 778 600 796 573 719 693 737 639 723 788 738 553 789 870

662 534 747 456 669 606 810

620

494 599

846 827 923 895 834 1097 768 522 691 799 755 814 656 826 637 564 918 933

639 721 783 656 704 390 411 313 504 494 521 398 410 481 508 276 311 485

-16% -22% -9% -42% -14%

1% 2%

-21%

-37% -13%

8% 20% 13% 14% 7% 83% -4% -9% -4% 15% 2% 27% -9% 5% -14% 2% 16% 7%

-18% 5% -4% -17% -10% -35% -48% -45% -30% -29% -29% -38% -43% -39% -31% -50% -61% -44%

-84% -11% -59% -76% -45% 36% -92% -121% -67% -31% -83% -9% -120% -123% -86% -203% -68% -71%

Scanty
Normal

707 769 887 503 740 463

449 554 444 621 515 299 393 562 350 604 355 385 749 214 519 574

-14% -2% 14% -16% -7% -19%

-45% -30% -43% 4% -35% -48% -45% -19% -53% -5% -51% -51% 1% -61% -34% -34%

Deficit Scanty Deficit Excess Scanty Scanty Scanty Deficit Scanty

Normal

694 442 728 617 689 652 630 292 906

832 952 721 706 635 624 535 295 754

-3% -36% -1% -3% -5% -17% -15% -47%

15%

16% 37% -2% 10% -12% -21% -28% -47% -4%

Scanty Scanty Scanty Scanty Scanty Scanty

19 Kanagal 20 Kattangur 21 Kethepalle 22 Kodad 23 M.Atmakur 24 M.Turkapalli 25 Marriguda 26 Mattampalle 27 Medlacheruvu 28 Miryalaguda 29 Mothey 30 Mothkur 31 Munagala 32 Munugode 33 Nadigudem 34 Nakrekal 35 Nampally 36 Narayanpur 37 Narketpalle 38 Nereducherla 39 Nidamanuru 40 Nutankal

718 793 872 889 718 711 605 681 861 763 809 813 828 745 871 915 622 581 701 817 726 876

541 389 793

794 803 832

370 363 452 455 316

679 821 769 824 580 292 668 495 1037 904 503 830 882 651 899 780 393 791 854 777 669 639

689 561 649 487 375 287 384 355 515 710 374 606 462 645 494 510 346 276 537 645 680 373

-25% -51% -9%

11% 1% -5%

-48% -54% -48% -49% -56%

-5% 4% -12% -7% -19% -59% 10% -27% 20% 18% -38% 2% 7% -13% 3% -15% -37% 36% 22% -5% -8% -27%

-4% -29% -26% -45% -48% -60% -37% -48% -40% -7% -54% -25% -44% -13% -43% -44% -44% -52% -23% -21% -6% -57%

-72% -130% -99% -101% -123% -257% -118% -188% -114% -17% -242% -92% -90% -78% -161% -126% -139% -35% -13% -106% -32% -64%

Scanty Scanty Scanty Scanty Scanty Scanty Scanty Scanty Scanty

Normal

367 428 648 791 867 465 717 746 569 458

516 515 406 650 825 420 708 747 777 636

269 317 219 334 376 325 452 554 503 464 301

-48% -29% -5% -8%

14%

-27% -15% -40% -25% 8% -48% -13% -10% 4% -27%

-62% -48% -68% -61% -51% -60% -44% -33% -32% -47% -67%

-43% -12% -10% -24% -47%

Scanty Scanty Scanty Scanty Scanty Scanty Scanty Deficit

Normal

451 345 638 638 794 961

689 777 821 794 826 777

368 510 566 361 431 647

-27% -41% -9% -22%

9% 10%

11% 34% 17% -3% 14% -11%

-41% -12% -19% -56% -41% -26%

Scanty Deficit Scanty

41 P.A.Pally 42 Peddavoora 43 Penpahad 44 Pochampally 45 Rajapet 46 Ramannapet 47 S.Atmakur 48 Shaligowraram 49 Suryapet 50 Thungathurthi 51 Tipparti 52 Tirumalgiri 53 Tripuraram 54 Valigonda 55 Vemalapalli 56 Yadagirigutta MEAN

540 682 835 773 651 649 771 839 843 900 722 932 696 785 720 815 753

364 665 324 688 392 754

625 833 353 801 349 867

407 541 180 502 185 558 492 554

497 817 266 266 345 1030 912 1030 998 1078 448 969 660 1118 910 802 753

337 661 243 675 630 566 436 558 694 708 606 626 714 445 655 589 520

-33% -2% -61% -11% -40%

16%

16% 22% -58% 4% -46% 34%

-25% -21% -78% -35% -72% -14% -36% -34%

-8% 20% -68% -66% -47% 59% 18% 23% 18% 20% -38% 4% -5% 42% 26% -2% 0%

-38% -3% -71% -13% -3% -13% -43% -33% -18% -21% -16% -33% 3% -43% -9% -28% -31%

-87% 16% -336% -121% -208% 82% -61% -45% -33% -50% -163% -133% 7% 17% -21% -68% -95%

Scanty
Normal

Scanty Scanty Scanty Surplus Scanty Deficit Deficit Deficit Scanty Scanty
Normal Normal

766 904 420 684 777 923 758

739 684 693 707 912 871 768

742 673 266 431 468 698 361 496

-9%
0%

-12% -24% -4% -24% 31% 11% 7%

-12% -25% -63% -54% -33% -11% -50% -39%

-42% -27%
12% 18% 5%

Deficit Scanty Scanty

628

693

450

-17%

-8%

-40%

Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Andhra Pradesh

10

Fig 2.

11

The phreatic aquifer is developed by means of open dug wells with depth ranging from 6-15 m and dug-cum-bore wells up to 45m. From the bottom of dug wells The shallow bore wells are drilled generally to a depth of 50-60 m. The yield of the irrigation wells range between 100 to 150 cu.m/day. At places, it is upto 200 cu.m/day. Hydrogeological conditions of the District are shown in Fig.3.

Ground Water in Meta Sediments

The Meta sedimentary belonging to the Kadapa and Kurnool group occurs along the southern boundary of the district. In the shale formations, the ground water occurs along bedding plains, cleavages, joints and weathered zones etc. In lime stones, the ground water occurs mainly in solution channels, caverns and joints etc. The depth of open wells in shales and limestones varies from 5 to 20 m, whereas the bore wells down to a depth of 50-60 m. As per the yield is concerned, it ranges between 2 and 3 lps.

Ground Water in Unconsolidated Formations The unconsolidated sediments like alluvial formations occur along the stream courses. The ground water occurs under water table condition. The major alluvial patch is located along the Aler River between Kolanpaka and Mothkur. The depth of the dug well ranges from 3 to 6 m only.

3.2

Shallow Aquifer System: The Central Ground Water Board so far has constructed 40 shallow bore

wells ranging depth from 10.0 m bgl (Munagala) to 35.0 m (Bommalaramaram). The thickness of the weathered mantle ranges between 5.0 and 30.0 m bgl. The depth of phreatic and semi-confined aquifers (fractures) ranges between 7 m (Miryalaguda) and 24 m (Madugulapally). The majority of the aquifer zones encountered within the depth range of 10.0 and 20.0 m bgl. The discharge of the shallow bore wells ranges between 0.5 and 2.0 liters per second (lps). The transmissivity of the wells ranges from 5 to 23 sq.m/day. The aquifers that are encountered in the pink granite are more potential than that of grey granites.

12

13

The shallow aquifers are exploited by means of large diameter dug wells for irrigation. Yield tests which were conducted on the open wells revealed that specific capacity of the gneissic granite ranges from 41.1 lpm to 260.3 lpm per meter draw down, whereas the wells tapping weathered and jointed gneissic granites have specific capacities vary from 169.3 to 319.7 lpm/dd. The majority values of specific capacity fall in the range of 17.8 to 114.0 lpm/dd. The depth of shallow aquifer depends on rock type, degree of weathering, geomorphological and drainage conditions. The shallow aquifer system constitutes weathered mantle limited to a maximum depth of 40 m. The shallow aquifer system is normally tapped by dug wells and dug-cum-bore wells. The yield of the wells is generally in the range of 50-100 cu.m/day. The yield of open wells in Aler river basin ranges between 250 to 850 cu.m/day.

3.3

Deep Aquifer System

To study the deep aquifer regime, the Central Ground Water Board has

sunk about 98 deep wells down to the depth of 200 m in various hydrogeological conditions in the district. The deep exploratory drilling revealed that the fractures are of vertical to sub-vertical and also of horizontal in their disposition. It has been found that about 80% of the aquifer zones are encountered within the range of 40-60 m depth. About 20% of the fractured zones are encountered beyond 60 m down to 150 m depth. In the aquifer zones, within 60m depth, the ground water occurs under semi-confined conditions, whereas in deep seated aquifers found under semi-confined to confined conditions. The transmissivity of aquifer ranges between 5 and 400 sq.m/day (Anantaram, Bhongir mandal). The general range of transmissivity varies from 10 to 60 sq.m/day in the granitic terrain. The specific capacity of the fracture zone ranges from 5.0 lpm/m.dd to 10 lpm/m.dd. The storativity of the aquifer zones is found to be from 1.5 x 10 5 to 1x 10 3. It has been observed that the aquifers in the pink granite found to be more potential than that of basic rocks.

14

Deep aquifers are by and large encountered at a depth of 40-80 m, occasionally fracture zones exist beyond 120 m. The yield of the aquifer ranges between 1 to 4 lps, occasionally upto 19 lps at Anantaram, (Bhongir Mandal), which is located along East West lineament.

3.4

Water level In order to study ground water level and change in storage conditions, a

total number of 50 observation wells including 15 open dug wells and 35 purpose-built piezometers, which have been established across the district, are being monitored four times a year including pre-monsoon (May) and post monsoon (November).

Pre-monsoon The water level scenario map for the year 2004-2005 (Fig.4) shows that in the north east, south west and north eastern parts, which constitute together 40% of the district, the depth to water level was in the range of 5 to 10 meters below ground level. In the central part, south-west and eastern part, which constitutes about 40% of the district, the water levels were found between 10 and 20 m bgl. The range of 2m to 5 m depth was found as isolated patches in eastern fringe and around southwest boundary in the mandals of Mettampally, Mellacheruvu, Kodad and Nadigudem of the district. The water level of less than 2m was found in Miryalaguda mandal, which indicates the prevalence of water logging conditions in the area.

Post-monsoon Analysis of data of the post-monsoon season of 2005 (Fig.5) shows that water level of 2 m was found in almost 30% of the area, covering the mandals of Peddavoora, Nidamanur, Aliya, parts of Devarakonda and Chandampet in the south and Nadigudem, Munagala, Kodad, Chilkur, Garidepalli in eastern part of the district. The water level between 2 and 5 m bgl was found in the central and

15

16

17

eastern parts of the district, covering the mandals of Damarcherla, Miryalaguda, Vemulapalli, Narkatpally, Ketipalli and Suryapet in the eastern part of the district and Bommalaramam in the north-west of the district. The water level between 5 and 10 m bgl was found along the northern and western boundary of the district, covering the mandals of Trimulgerry, Tungaturthi, Gundala, Atmakakur and parts of Marriguda, Chintapally, Narayanpur and Aler. The deep-water levels beyond 10 m were found in northern tip of district, covering the mandals of Rajapet, Aler and Gundala.

Fluctuation Rise of water levels was observed all over the district (Fig.6), after the monsoon. Rise of more than 4 m was witnessed almost in 70% of the district, covering entire western and north eastern parts of the district and the rise between 2 and 4 m was found south eastern parts covering the mandals of Damarcherla, Mattampally, Miryalaguda, Mellacheruvu and parts of Kodad and also in the mandals of Rajapet, Aler and Gundala in north of the district. The minimum rise of less than 2 m was found in the parts of Garudepally.

Long-term water level trends An analysis of water level date collected by the C.G.W.B, the network of ground water monitoring wells shows that during the Pre-monsoon, rise in the water is found in 9 wells ranging from 0.01 to 2.05 m/year (Bommalaramaram). Falling trend is observed in 40 wells ranging from 0.157(Nampally) to 1.25 m/year (Chintapally). During the post-monsoon period rising trend in 17 wells ranging from 0.008 (miryalguda) to 3.816 m/year (Huzurnagar). Falling trend is recorded in 34 wells. The annual rising trend found in 12 wells where as falling trend is observed in 38 wells. The pattern of change in water levels with time is shown in the form of hydrographs in Fig.7.

18

19

20

3.5

Ground Water Resources Based on the Ground Water Estimation committee (G.E.C.-97) norms

ground water assessment was done in 2004.

The mandal wise details are

present in the table-6. The ground water resource available is 694.66 MCM in command area and 1175.43 is in non-command area of the district. The

groundwater utilization is in the order of 75.22MCM and 900.09MCM in command area and non-command area respectively. The resultant groundwater balance is 619.44 and 317.56MCM in command and non-command areas respectively. Overall the district falls under safe category with stage of

development being at 52%. The stage of development in command area is 11% (safe) and in non-command area it is 77% (semi-critical category). With respect to stage of development, 27 mandals are found to be safe, 24 semi-critical, 3 mandals viz., Pochampally (985%), Chandur (98%) and Mothkur (91%) are critical and 3 mandals viz., Chityal (111%), Rajapet (109%) and Yadigirigutta (104%) are in over-exploited category. Stage of ground water development is shown in Table-4.

3.6

Ground water quality In general, the ground water in the district found to be suitable for

domestic and irrigation purpose.

The general range of Electrical conductivity is

between 1500 and 2500 micro Seimen/cm at 25 ..However it was found that Fluoride concentration is more than permissible limits of 1.5 mg/l in the South Western part of Nalgonda district covering the mandals of Deverkonda, Gundlapalem, Chandampet, Chintaplly, Nampally, Gurrampode, Kanagal, Chandur, Marriguda, Munugode, Narayanpur and Narketpally. The quality of groundwater is brackish in the command area in eastern part of the district. In the north-west parts of the district, the fluoride concentration is found to be excessive in isolated patches. So far, 346 villages, are afflicted by Fluoride followed by Nampally and Chintapally spreading across 5

problem being highest in Nalgonda mandals. mandals.

There is brackish water problem in 62 villages

21

Table 4.

MANDAL WISE GROUNDWATER RESOURCE 2004 NALGONDA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH

Area in the basin Ground water availability Ha.m.
C 0 NC 3 2106 1791 2652 3047 2293 2012 2868 2185 3243 1739 0 2219 2189 1771 2492 275 Total 2106 5655 2652 3047 2293 2012 2868 2185 3243 1739 4496 2219 2189 1771 2492 4992

S.No

Mandal

Ground water Ground water Stage of utilisation balance development Ha.m. Ha.m. %
C 0 656 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 138 0 0 0 0 719 NC Total 4 1789 1789 960 C 0

Category

1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Alair

2 Anumula Athmakur(S) Atmakur(M) B. Ramaram

B.Pochampally

C 3 0 16909 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11486 0 0 0 0 29968

NC 4
19791 17560 21360 23432 16751 18397 24913 18180 39065 20083 0 27307 23769 14867 26392 4246

T 5 19791

NC Total C NC Total C NC Total 5 =( 3-4 ) 6 = {(4/3) * 100} 7 374 850 374 NA 85 4058 17 54 85 29 63 81 82 98 89 78 73 98 3 66 111 72 90 16 NA SC SC Safe Safe Safe NA Safe Safe NA SC NA SC NA Cri NA SC NA SC NA SC NA Cri SC SC Cri SC SC SC Cri

34469 3864 21360 23432 16751 18397 24913 18180 39065 20083 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1615 3208 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4357 0 0 0 0 3999

1659 1659 2465 2465 1891 1891 1965 1965 2545 2545 1704 1704 2368 2368 1712 1712 0 138

1064 1064 NA 63 679 497 176 443 604 966 102 0 921 -69 546 355 214 679 NA 81 497 NA 82 176 NA 98 443 NA 89 604 NA 78 966 NA 73 102 NA 98 4357 3 NA

Bhongir Bibinagar Chandampet

10 Chandur 11 Chilkur 12 Chinthapally 13 Chityal 14 Chivemla 15 Choutuppal 16 Dameracharla

11486 4496 27307 23769 14867 26392 0 0 0 0

Safe NA Safe NA Safe Safe NA OE OE NA SC NA SC SC SC

1454 1454 2422 2422 1272 1272 2239 2239 67 786

921 NA 66 -69 NA 111

546 NA 72 355 NA 90 4213 15 24

34214 4717

Safe Safe Safe

22

17 Devarakonda 18 Garidepally 19 Gundala 20 Gundlapally 21 Gurrampode 22 Huzurnagar 23 Jajireddygudem 24 Kanagal 25 Kattangur 26 Kethepalli 27 Kodad 28 Marriguda 29 Mattampally 30 Mellachervu 31 Miryalguda 32 Mothey 33 Mothkur 34 Munagala 35 Munugode 36 Nadigudem 37 Nakrekal 38 Nalgonda 39 Nampally 40 Narketpally 41 Neredcherla

0 17906 0 0 0 11047 0 0 0 0 24252 0 12550 24587 23325 0 0 7314 0 10725 0 0 0 0 21564

34882 1148 20429 26490

34882

3185 113 2651 2488 2976 0 2682 2495 2039 1657 0 1941 319 688 93 2218 3832 1002 1902 668 1474 3667 2262 2679 427

3185 8711 2651 2488 2976 5745 2682 2495 2039 1657 6704 1941 2640 5710 3657 2218 3832 2681 1902 3437 1474 3667 2262 2679

0 647 0 0 0 302 0 0 0 0 661 0 422 233 361 0 0 653 0 887 0 0 0 0

2716 2716 134 781

0 7951 0 0 0 5444 0 0 0 0 6043 0 1899 4789 3203 0 0

621 -21 430 597

621 NA 85 7930 8 118

85 9 85 79 63 5 65 93 63 80 10 65 21 6 12 80 91 52 86 36 85 72 88 73 12

NA SC

SC

19054 8598 20429 26490 30737 0 0 0

Safe OE Safe NA SC NA SC SC SC

2263 2263 1973 1973 1875 1875 0 302

430 NA 85 597 NA 79

30737
0 19460 23356 19025 14865 0 22989 5116 10089 1044 18131 28005 8550 22253 5522 14889 32246 26995 24349 6175

1171 1171 NA 63 0 952 247 840 390 0 758 193 570 36 487 484 268 355 349 353 5444 5 NA

NA Safe Safe Safe NA Safe NA Safe Safe NA Cri Cri

11047 5745 19460 23356 19025 14865 0 0 0 0

1748 1748 2315 2315 1288 1288 1326 1326 0 661

952 NA 65 247 NA 93 840 NA 63 390 NA 80 6043 10 NA 758 NA 65 2092 18 5358 5 40 17 67

NA Safe Safe NA SC SC

24252 6704 22989 0

Safe NA Safe NA Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe NA SC NA Cri SC Cri

1254 1254 126 118 63 548 352 423

17666 2321 34676 5022 24369 3563 18131 28005 0 0

3238 10

1769 1769 3492 3492 751

487 NA 80 484 NA 91 1294 39 75

15864 1679 22253 0

1404 1026 0

Safe SC Safe NA SC SC

1636 1636
337

355 NA 86 2230 32 50

16247 2768 14889 32246 26995 24349 0 0 0 0

1224 1881 0 0 0 0

Safe Safe Safe NA SC NA SC NA SC NA SC SC SC SC SC

1252 1252 2641 2641 1998 1998 1961 1961

353 NA 85

1090 1090 NA 72 358 793 358 NA 88 793 NA 73 63

27739 12233

12660 1231 267

1498 11002 162 11163 10

Safe Safe Safe

23

42 Nidmanoor 43 Nuthankal 44 P A Pally 45 Peddavoora 46 Penpahad 47 Rajapet 48 Ramannapet 49 Saligowaraam 50 S.Narayanpur 51 Suryapet 52 Thipparthy 53 Thungathurthy 54 Thurkapally 55 Tirmalgiri 56 Tripuraram 57 Vemulapalli 58 Voligonda 59 Yadagirigutta Total

12911 0 0 0 1162 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14065 3933 0 0

12951 20494 31230 46577 17385 19667 21148 20541 20854 20826 25480 20696 19319 16887 3318 16935 29268 22694

25862 3006 20494 31230 46577 0 0 0

1465 2851 3005 4177 1528 1850 2401 2538 1710 2348 2375 2871 2130 2355 320 1588 3564 2126

4472 2851 3005 4177 2280 1850 2401 2538 1710 2348 2375 2871 2130 2355 3066 2840 3564 2126

260 1129 1389 2746 0 0 0 59 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 173 2224 2224 2232 2232 1944 1944 1009 1068 2022 2022 2258 2258 1696 1696 1274 1274 1607 1607 1718 1718 2016 2016 1746 1746 1615 1615 179 353 0 0 0 693 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2572

386 716 990

3132

77

31 78 74 47 47 109 94 67 74 68 72 70 82 69 12 40 67 104 52

Safe SC Safe NA SC NA SC SC SC

716 NA 78 990 NA 74

2391 2391 NA 47 550 1243 8 66

NA Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe NA OE OE NA Cri Cri

18547 752 19667 21148 20541 20854 20826 25480 20696 19319 16887 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

-113 -113 NA 109 224 937 587 809 773 224 NA 94 937 NA 67 587 NA 74 809 NA 68 773 NA 72

NA Safe Safe NA SC SC

NA Safe Safe NA SC NA SC NA SC SC SC SC

1006 1006 NA 70 479 770 152 616 479 NA 82 770 NA 69 2725 6 56 64

NA Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe NA Safe Safe NA OE OE Safe SC Safe

17383 2746 20868 1251 29268 22694 0 0

120 1020 1140 1132 0 0 2376 2376 2220 2220 0 0

1748 10

1294 1294 NA 67 -15 -15 NA 104 77

243704 1119128 1362832 69466 117543 187008 7522 90099 97620 61944 31756 93700 11

Note: OE = Over exploited; Cri = Critical; SC = Semi critical; C = Command; NC = Non command; NA = Not applicable

24

3.7

Status of Ground Water Development:

Ground water development in the district is carried out through bore wells of 60 to 80m depth and through shallow tube well 40 m depth in the non-command area and through the dug wells of 10 to12m depth in the command area. In

the sedimentary terrain of lime stones, the groundwater is tapped through deep wells of about 80m depth and through filter points with depth range from 10 to 15 m along the banks Alair and Kanagal rivers. The district is largely dependent on groundwater for irrigation requirement as 64.5% of area which accounts for 1,39,000 ha., irrigated by ground water resources with a total number of

1,54,936 ground water extraction structures. To meet the domestic and drinking water needs of the 1136 inhabitant villages about 10,228 groundwater extraction structures are constructed under the control of Panchayat Raj Department. The details of the drinking water facilities are presented in Table-5.

Large diameter dug wells either of rectangular or circular shape are found in the district for irrigation purpose. The depth of the dug wells vary from 8 to 15 m bgl in non-command area, but most of the wells are dried up or with deep water levels in the summer. These wells have 1-2 m water column, which would

sustain pumping for 2-4 hrs. in two spells a day, by 5 H.P motor. The yield of the wells varies from 100 to 200 cu.m/day during post-monsoon period.

The depth of bore wells vary between 40 and 60 m in non-command area to tap fractured aquifers, whose discharge would be 2 lps to 5 lps, with draw down of 6-10 m for a pumping period of about 6 hours.

The depths of dug wells in command area vary from 8-10 m with yield from 75-200 cu.m/day. Post monsoon period with 3-5 m draw down.

25

26

Well density

The highest well density of 26 wells/sq.km is found in Mothey mandal of noncommand area and the lowest density of 1 well per sq.km in the Neruducherla mandal (canal command area). A well density of 16 and above is observed in 17 mandals in non-command area and 5 in canal command area. The well density stands at 12 wells per sq./km in the district as a whole (Table-6).

4.0

GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

Ever-declining ground water levels as a result of frequent dry spells and indiscreet sinking of bore wells, the ground water resources have been depleting and pushing the ground water scenario to the point of no return. In order to

arrest the grave situation an effective groundwater management strategy shall be evolved in such a way that there is an optimal utilization of ground water resources maintaining the well spacing norms. Spacing norm for two adjacent bore wells in crystalline rocks is 250 m. As per the stage of development, the mandals of Pochampally, Chandur, Mothkur and Ramannpet of non-command area have been categorized as critical ones, leaving no room for further groundwater exploitation.

The district has considerable command area spreading over 16 mandals and as many mandals are falling under safe category with a ground water balance of 619.44 MCM for development. In command area, the ground water development may be taken up by utilising ground water in conjunction with surface water for construction of shallow bore wells in order to enhance irrigation potential, reduce water logging conditions and to improve ground water quality as well. The farmers in the tail end areas of canal ayacut will also be benefited to a large extent if the ground water development is encouraged in the canal headreaches. This will satisfy the equitable distribution of water resources to the farmers in the command area.

27

28

In the hard rock terrain of non-command area it is imperative to augment the depleting groundwater resources by evolving artificial recharge strategy in order to sustain the existing ground water extraction structures. The indiscreet trend

of sinking bore wells needs to arrested through administrative measures or even legal measures which are already existing in APWALTA Act. But, much effort has to be made in bringing awareness among public/farmers to desist from the present trend and follow the scientific guidelines through the designated Departments.

4.1

Ground Water Development

Further groundwater development in the district should be restricted to

the command area, by constructing dug wells of 10 to 15 m depth with radius of about 5m or shallow borewells of 165mm dia.down to a depth of 30 to 40 m in the areas having water levels less than 5m below ground level. The selection of bore well site shall be made consciously based on Geophysical and hydrogeological studies. The unit cost of a dug well and bore well would be around in the order of Rs. 44,500 and Rs.12,500 to 15,000 (Source: NABARD) respectively. The details of the spacing norms are furnished in Table7 and unit cost of ground water abstraction structures is presented in Table-7.

Table-7:
Sl. No Situation

Spacing norms for different ground water abstraction structures

Spacing between any two wells (m)

Piccota wells 1 2 3 Non-Ayacut Ayacut Near perennial source lke river of tank (within 200m) 4 Non-perennial streams 50 60 40 40

Dug wells

Filter point or shallow wells

Bore wells

160 100 100

120 160 160

250-300 150-200 200-300

150

180

200-500

29

The details of ground water structures and designs in different geological formations with unit cost are presented in Table-8.

Table-8:

Unit cost of ground water abstraction structures.

S. No.

Geological Formation

Type of MI Source

Dimensions Dia (m) Depth (m)

Staining Dimensions Depth (m) Dia (mm)

Depth

Unit cost (Rs.)

Of bore well

(m) 44500

Granite related rocks

DW

16

DCB DCB 2 3 Lime stones Bore wells in hard rocks 4 5 Alluvium FP DCB BW

6 4 4 -

10 14 12 -

4 4 4 -

100 100 100

30 30

31000 39400

35/30 23300 20600

150-160 80

100 -

15 -

4500 5000

Development DOW* of old well

* Deepening 2 m from 10 to 12 m.

4.2

Water Conservation and Artificial Recharge

For ground water conservation and artificial recharge, a number of structures have been taken since 1995 under the control of District Water Management Agency in a big way in the district under DPAP, IWDP, RIDF, APRLP,EAS, NEERU MEERU and other programmes in the non-command area.The structures, under these Schemes are check dams, percolation tanks, farm ponds,

30

contour bunding and trenches, feeder channel and gully control etc. The forest department also carried out and contour trenching works. So far, as many as

509 structures have been completed and 351 structures are under execution.

The artificial recharge structures must be taken up in non-command area, particularly in the critical and over exploited mandals for the benefit of farmers. As per the geomorphic conditions prevailing, the most suitable recharge structure is percolation tanks. In addition, check dams, gully controls and bunding may be taken up where considerable gradient and length of slope is available. All the works have to be on water shed basis, after careful study of the micro-basin parameters, surface run off and after meeting the needs of the existing structures. Roof top harvesting in urban and rural areas should be made

mandatory to enhance groundwater recharge. Area recommended for artificial recharge to ground water is presented in Fig.8.

5.

RECOMMENDATIONS According to official sources and personal interaction with farmers across

the district, as mentioned in the foregoing discussions, it has come to light that the distress situation of the farmers is reportedly due to he causes of indebtedness, Due to the unsteady supply of power, burning of motor pumps, wrong selection of crops, spurious seeds, scarce water resources leading to crop failures etc, pushing the farmers into heavy pecuniary losses. The high input costs and non-remunerative market rates for the agricultural produce are the other reasons for the farmers distress. The above problems can be addressed to maximum extent by observing the groundwater management techniques and other remedial measures as mentioned below.

31

32

In non-command area, where further development of groundwater is possible the farmer must take professional advice regarding selection of bore well sites and depth of well on geophysical and hydro-geological studies. There is a wrong notion that more depth of a well will yield more water.

Groundwater conservation and artificial recharge structures must be taken up, based on scientific lines, to arrest surface run off in order to enhance the groundwater storage so as to make the existing bore wells sustainable.

The spacing norms of 250m distance between two adjacent bore wells shall be observed to achieve this the norms of APWALTA act shall strictly be implemented.

In non-command area where groundwater resources are scarce, less water intensive crops be raised and alternative modern irrigation methods like drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation may be encouraged and farmers may be given loans with enhanced subsidy for its purchase and maintenance.

In the command area, especially in headwater reaches, conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water must be encouraged for irrigation purpose to enhance yield potential and at the same time improving the water quality and minimizing the water logging threat. The tail-end farmers are also benefited with more canal supply, fulfilling the concept of equitable distribution.

The authorities for optimum use of surface and groundwater must adopt watershed wise water management plans.

Mass awareness programmes must widely be conducted on regular basis in the rural areas to educate the farmers regarding the water management to update their knowledge. Training for local government functionaries, NGOs, voluntary

33

organizations engaged in watershed development activity are to be trained in scientific techniques in the selection of sites, design of structures, etc. for construction of rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge structures.

There should be a complete institutional credit cover to the small and marginal farmers for drilling deep bore wells in the scientifically identified ground water potential zones, for procuring water saving equipment like drip and sprinkler systems, etc. Insurance facility should be provided to cover the health of farmers and their families, damaged crops due to severe drought conditions, unforeseen loss, market rates for the agriculture produce, etc.

To minimize the dependence solely on agriculture the government should provide loan facility with enhanced subsidy to the farmers to initiate dairy and poultry for supplementary income for his subsistence.

In order to impart education to the farmers, regarding the cropping pattern, hybrid varieties, pesticides, irrigation techniques etc., Agri-clinics may be established in rural areas for every five villages in non-command areas.

Acknowledgements: The data provided by the State Ground Water Department, Panchayat Raj Department, Agriculture Department, Irrigation Department, District Water Management Agency and Directorate of Economics & Stastistics, Govt.of Andhra Pradesh, for preparation of the report, is gratefully acknowledged.

34