DISTRICT GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT STUDIES REPORT

IN PART OF VELLORE DISTRICT
2004-05

During the F.S.P.2004-2005 the undersigned was engaged in carrying out reappraisal survey in 9 over-exploited blocks viz. Tirupathur, Natarampalle, Jolarpet,Kandili, Peranambut,Gudiyatham, K.V.Kuppam, Alangayam and Madhanur of Vellore district covering the taluks of Gudiyatham, Vaniyambadi, Tirupathur, as well as part of Vellore, covering an area of 2875 Sq. km.  The previous survey in this area was carried out by Shri D. Subba Rao, Scientist-C during the year 1995-1996. A marked decline in the depth to water levels has been noticed with many dug wells of the previous survey now found either dry or in a dilapidated condition. A total of 107 key wells have been established. The depth to water levels ranged from 5.30 mbgl to 20.70 mbgl during the pre-monsoon season and from 6.15 mbgl to 26.50 mbgl during the post-monsoon season. The depth of the wells canvassed ranged from 8.70 mbgl to 26.30 mbgl. Seven dug wells were tested to compute Specific Capacity in both hard rock and alluvial terrains. Also, in two dug wells, infiltration studies were carried out to determine the rate of infiltration in different soil types. A study was also carried out in the areas adjoining the tanneries located in the Palar River basin. 20 water samples have been collected for chemical quality analysis. Due to continuous drought for the last five years a severe shortage of drinking water exists in almost all the towns. The area is drained by the Palar, Malattar and Ponnaiyar Rivers, which are ephemeral in nature and are dry for most part of the year. The area is underlain by crystallines of Archaean age like granitic gneiss, charnockite, dolerites overlain by a thin mantle of alluvium along the Palar River. In order to estimate the average draft per unit abstraction structure, detailed village sample surveys have been carried out in two villages namely Natteri (K.V.Kuppam block) and Chinnathottalam (Gudiyatham block). 72 wells were canvassed at Natteri and 50 wells at Chinnathottalam. The depth ranged from 5.5m to28.0m in dug wells while it was 30m to 80.0m in the borewells. The depth to water levels ranged from 11.80m to41.50m. In Chinnathottalam the depth ranged from 11.50 to 17.80m. The depth to water levels ranged from 11.48m to 18.0m

As all the blocks fall in the over-exploited category it is recommended that ground water management is the need of the hour. Ground water development in the area should only be for drinking water. Agricultural practices using water conservation techniques should be encouraged and less-water using crops be cultivated.