Sustainable Groundwater Management

About

Groundwater is a critical resource that sustains ecosystems, supports agriculture, and provides drinking water to billions of people worldwide. It plays a central role in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on water security. However, rapid groundwater extraction and contamination, potentially exacerbated by climate change, have placed immense pressure on this vital resource. If not properly managed, over-extraction and contamination can result in severe consequences, including declining water tables, saltwater intrusion, and deteriorating water quality. This underscores the urgent need for sustainable groundwater management to ensure long-term water security.

This course offers a comprehensive understanding of groundwater systems, with a strong emphasis on practical approaches to sustainability. Key topics include the impacts of climate change, sustainability indicators, and strategies such as Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR), aquifer rejuvenation, and mitigation. Special attention is given to emerging contaminants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), fluoride, and chromium.

Students will also gain an exposure to groundwater modeling techniques for predicting future water availability and assessing climate change impacts. The course further integrates policy frameworks, governance strategies, and community-based approaches essential for effective groundwater conservation in both urban and agricultural contexts. Several case studies conducted by the instructor at various sites will be presented to enrich learning.

Intended audience: Civil Engineering /Water Resources Management/ Mining Engineering / Water Resources Engineering / Environmental Engineering / Geotechnical Engineering / Geology / Applied Geology / Geography / Environmental Science/Engineering / Management

Prerequisites: 12th Std Maths, Physics, Chemistry