Water table depth in South West
Most of the 18 wells the Central Ground Water Board measured in South West read 20–40 m. 56% were deeper than 20 m, beyond the reach of hand pumps and shallow borewells.
How deep the water is in South West's wells
Monitoring wells in each depth band, measured before the 2018 monsoon, when the water table is at its lowest.
- 0–2 m6% of wells1
- 2–5 m6% of wells1
- 5–10 m0% of wells0
- 10–20 m33% of wells6
- 20–40 m44% of wells8
- over 40 m11% of wells2
Is groundwater in South West running out?
South West pumps out 89% of the groundwater that can safely be taken out each year (2025, Central Ground Water Board). Groundwater is under pressure. 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 South West?
In CGWB's pre-monsoon 2018 readings, groundwater in South West stood 0.7 m to 56.9 m below ground (2 to 187 ft) across 18 monitoring wells. Most of them read 20–40 m.
How deep is a borewell in South West?
A borewell has to reach well below the water level, and in summer the level drops further, so in South West it has to go past 56.9 m (187 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 South West?
South West pumps out 89% of the groundwater that can safely be taken out each year (2025), rated semi-critical. At this rate of pumping the level is under pressure and falls in dry years. That is 121 points lower than in 2017.
How deep should a rainwater recharge bore be in South West?
About 120 ft is typical where most wells read 20–40 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.