Water table depth in North West
Most of the 22 wells the Central Ground Water Board measured in North West read 5–10 m. 9% were deeper than 20 m, beyond the reach of hand pumps and shallow borewells.
How deep the water is in North West's wells
Monitoring wells in each depth band, measured before the 2018 monsoon, when the water table is at its lowest.
- 0–2 m0% of wells0
- 2–5 m23% of wells5
- 5–10 m36% of wells8
- 10–20 m32% of wells7
- 20–40 m9% of wells2
- over 40 m0% of wells0
Is groundwater in North West running out?
North West pumps out 65% of the groundwater that can safely be taken out each year (2025, Central Ground Water Board). Pumping is within safe limits. Recharging rain from roofs and open ground is the way to lift the water table back up.
Frequently asked questions
What is the water table depth in North West?
In CGWB's pre-monsoon 2018 readings, groundwater in North West stood 2.8 m to 23.8 m below ground (9 to 78 ft) across 22 monitoring wells. Most of them read 5–10 m.
How deep is a borewell in North West?
A borewell has to reach well below the water level, and in summer the level drops further, so in North West it has to go past 23.8 m (78 ft) where wells read deepest. The exact depth depends on where the water-bearing rock or sand layer is, which a local hydrogeologist or driller can tell from nearby bores.
Is the water table falling in North West?
North West pumps out 65% of the groundwater that can safely be taken out each year (2025), rated safe. Pumping is within what rain puts back, so the level is broadly holding. That is 5 points lower than in 2017.
How deep should a rainwater recharge bore be in North West?
About 60 ft is typical where most wells read 5–10 m, deep enough to pass the clay layers that block water and reach sand or fractured rock that carries it down to the water table. The final depth is set on site from the soil seen while drilling.
Source: District-wise Depth to Water Level and Distribution of Percentage of Wells for the Period of Premonsoon, 2018 (one PDF per State/UT), Central Ground Water Board. Levels vary between neighbourhoods and fall further in a dry year, so a reading near you can differ.