Hydrology Project
 
The prime objective of the World Bank assisted Hydrology Project (HP) is to develop a sustainable Hydrological Information Systems (HIS) for 9 States in Peninsular India., set up by the Central agencies (Central Ground Water Board and Central Water Commission) and State ground water and surface water Departments with the following characteristics :
  • Demand driven, i.e., output is tuned to the user needs.
  • Use of standardized equipment and adequate procures of data collection and processing.
  • Computerised comprehensive and easily accessible database
  • Proper infrastructure to ensure sustainability.
  
 
Hydrological Information System (HIS)
 
 
HIS aims at (1) improvement and upgradation of the physical infrastructures and (2) improvement in the efficiency of human resources to collect, process, store and disseminate data on hydrological, geo-hydrological and hydro-meteorological variable. The physical infrastructures includes observation networks, laboratories, data The physical infrastructures includes observation networks, laboratories, data communication systems and data storage and processing systems equipped with databases and tools for data entry, validation, analysis retrieval and dissemination. The human resource refers to well-trained staff with a variety of skill to observe, validate, processes, analyze and disseminated the data. Efficiency requires that all activities in the HIS are well tuned to each other to provide the required data on time in proper from and at minimal cost.		  
     
  a. Improvement and upgradation of physical infrastructures:  
 
Improvement and upgradation of physical infrastructure in Maharashtra State
 
  a) Observation Network: The existing network of the ground water monitoring wells is strengthened by constructing 243 purpose-built piezometers ranging in depth from 19 to 153 metres in different Hydrogeological units. A total of 68 DWLRs (Digital Water Level Recorders) have been installed for automatic recording of ground water level and temperature data at an interval of 6 hours.   
     
 
FORMATION
AREA (km2)
NO. OF MONITORING WELLS BEFORE HP
NO. OF MONITORING WELLS AFTER HP
AREA OF INFLUENCE UNDER EACH WELL/km2
PRE HP
POST HP
Archaeans
32235
137
153
235.29
211
Gondwanas
4800
28
49
171.43
97.96
Puranas (Vindhyans)
6217
8
8
777.12
777.12
Deccan Traps
249935
974
1169
256.61
213.80
Alluviums
14526
113
124
128.55
117.15
Total
307713
1260
1503
313.8
283.4
 
 
  After the implementation of HP the area of influence under each observation network has come down from 313.8 to 283.4 sq. km. This enhanced area of influence would help in getting the evenly data from all hydrogeological units.  
     
  A total 68 Digital Water Level Recorders have been installed in purpose-built piezometers in different hydrogeological units in Maharashtra State.  
 
Installation of DWLRs has the following advantages
 
 
  • It has overcome the limitations of manual water level measurement system.
  • Continuous data recording is possible to correlate the water level changes that occur due to various external stresses on the ground water regime in the area.
  • High frequency water level data measurement is possible as and when required. Pre-determined time frequency, ranging from 1 hour onwards, can be set depending on local conditions.
  • Natural and manmade events affecting ground water regime can be detected accurately.
  • Calculation of actual recharge to ground water is possible by comparing with the rainfall and other contributing factors in that area.
  
     
  All the National ground water monitoring wells (dug wells and piezometres) distributed all over the state have been linked to the Mean Sea Level (MSL).  
     
  b) Chemical Laboratory: - The Chemical Laboratory in CGWB, CR has been upgraded with the following instruments :  
 
SR. NO.
CHEMICAL EQUIPMENT
NOS.
SR. NO.
CHEMICAL EQUIPMENT
NOS.
1
Flame Photometer
1
12
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS)
1
2
Deep Freezer
1
13
Magnetic Stirrer
2
3
Fume Cupboard
1
14
Table pH meter
2
4
Turbidity meter
1
15
Table EC meter
2
5
BOD Incubator
1
16
Water Analysis Kit (DO)
1
6
Top Loading Balance
2
17
Kjeldahl's digestion cum distillation unit
1
7
UV-VIS Spectrophotometer
2
18
Water deioniser plant
1
8
Spectrophotometer
2
19
Autoclave
1
9
WQ analysis Kit
2
20
Filtration Assembly
1
10
Water Bath
1
21
Soxhlet extraction unit
1
11
Hot Air Oven
1
22
Hot Plate
1
 
  The determinations of heavy metals like Copper, Cadmium, Iron, Chromium, Lead, Manganese & Zinc now became possible after the installation of AAS. The determinations of these parameters are extremely important as far as ground water pollution is concerned. It is possible to take up the full-fledged pollution studies around Industries/polluted areas which is deteriorating the quality of ground water.
 
  Similarly the determination of BOD & COD has also become possible with the chemical instrument procured under HP. These parameters are extremely important in carrying out the pollution studies. So far more then 15 ground water pollution studies have been carried out apart from regular analysis.  
     
  c) Regional Data Centre  
  Regional Data Centre has been established under Hydrology Project with the required hardware and softwares for systematic storing and retrieval of data that is being generated through various types of activities in the State. A dedicated software, Ground water Estimation and Management System (GEMS), has been developed by CGWB for a systematic data entry, validation, analysis, retrieval and dissemination of data and maps on ground water and to develop an integrated and easily accessible database. The software, GEMS, has also been distributed to the concerned Ground Water Departments in different States with an objective of maintaining a common data storage format in the entire Country. After the establishment of Data Centre, there is a tremendous increase of efficiency in data storing, analysis and retrieval of data and maps.
  
 
Data Storage / Audit
 
  The data, generated through various activities of Central Region, is being stored in the dedicated software, GEMS. The main data pertains to the Ground Water Regime monitoring. Water levels that are being monitored through a network of observation dug wells and piezometers, four times in a year, are stored immediately after the monitoring schedule. Dynamic data, pertaining to Ground Water Quality and Rainfall, is also being updated at regular intervals. Database is also being updated with the hydrogeological data of boreholes that are drilled under exploration programme. 

Geophysical data, collected through electrical surveys and borehole logging, is also added to the database in GEMS.

Regular backup of the data and objects (maps & reports) is taken up incrementally on a weekly basis. Complete backup is taken up monthly, quarterly and annually in triplicate on a separate media and one copy of the each data set is kept at safer place outside the Data Centre.

  
 
Data Dissemination
 
  The data generated through the network of monitoring wells is analysed and the interpreted data and maps are distributed to different State User Agencies 4 times in year  in the form of Monitoring Reports, prepared after each monitoring schedule and annually in the form of Ground Water Yearbook.
  
 
2) Improvement in efficiency of human resources
 
   There is a several fold increase in the efficiency of human resources after the implementation of Hydrology Project. This has been achieved due to several rigorous training programmes, many interactive sessions during meetings, seminars and workshops with several departmental and non-departmental scientists of Central and State Agencies and several other Experts in the field of Ground Water.  

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