# Sustainable Groundwater Management

- Institution: IIT Madras
- Department: Civil Engineering
- Teacher: Prof. Elango Lakshmanan
- Level: Undergraduate
- Language: English
- Subjects: Engineering
- Source: [NPTEL](https://nptel.ac.in/courses/105106694)
- Licence: [CC BY-NC-SA](https://nptel.ac.in/faq) (Non-commercial use only.)
- Syllabus: [at the source](https://nptel.ac.in/courses/105106694)
- Who can watch: Tweens profiles and older (sources give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the source's own words)

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

## Lectures

1. [Sustainable Groundwater Management - Introduction](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/a3e5a0847f21) (YouTube)
2. [Groundwater Stress and Sustainability Indicators](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/134fa0b5cc07) (YouTube)
3. [Sustainability Indicators : Groundwater Depletion and Seawater Intrusion](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/b575e1937329) (YouTube)
4. [Sustainability Indicators : Quality Degradation, Land Subsidence, and GDEs”](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/e82474f44234) (YouTube)
5. [Future Groundwater Use and the Need for Sustainable Management”](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/6b5e61afdd90) (YouTube)
6. [Hydrologic Cycle and Aquifers](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/37540b336006) (YouTube)
7. [Groundwater in different geological formations](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/2f8ea2bf11fc) (YouTube)
8. [Porosity and factors affecting porosity](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/decf6862069d) (YouTube)
9. [Aquifer Storage Properties](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/f6b213a8e539) (YouTube)
10. [Aquifer Compressibility and Groundwater Flow](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/51608e270d84) (YouTube)
11. [Hydrulic Conductivity , Transmissivity and Groundwater flow velocity](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/a8f5fba0ae40) (YouTube)
12. [Determination of Hydraulic Conductivity: Empirical, Laboratory, and Field Methods](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/636bbb1c716b) (YouTube)
13. [Estimation of Hydraulic Conductivity by Tracer and Pumping Tests](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/7f1d1084f98e) (YouTube)
14. [Aquifer tests for Sustianable Yield](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/a148f77579bc) (YouTube)
15. [Aquifer Test Methods: Steady and Unsteady Flow Conditions](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/6f27c434c932) (YouTube)
16. [Alternative Methods for Estimating Aquifer Parameters – Part 1: Slug and Bail Tests](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/e0d975f541ba) (YouTube)
17. [Alternative Methods for Estimating Aquifer Parameters – Part 2: Well Yield and Loss Analysis](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/8a29def71cd2) (YouTube)
18. [Well Performance Evaluation – Part 1: Step-Drawdown and Loss Relationships](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/1eb84a559621) (YouTube)
19. [Well Performance Evaluation – Part 2: Efficiency, Deterioration, and Maintenance](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/a88e69cef3ab) (YouTube)
20. [Surface Water - Groundwater Interaction](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/9418ac25f2a1) (YouTube)
21. [Groundwater Recharge Estimation: Field Methods and Case Studies](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/4952ab6a7db3) (YouTube)
22. [Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems: Classification and Controlling Factors](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/e06490775acb) (YouTube)
23. [Identifying and Assessing GDEs: Indicators, Mapping, and Monitoring Tools](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/96ff7791b415) (YouTube)
24. [Major Threats to GDEs: Causes, Consequences, and the Need for Sustainability](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/574a4cf2f26b) (YouTube)
25. [Groundwater Sustainability by Aquifer Recharge and Rejuvenation](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/57a5fab67a77) (YouTube)
26. [Natural Recharge Enhancement for Sustainable Groundwater Management](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/456a2142fb71) (YouTube)
27. [Managed Aquifer Recharge Part I : Definition, Benefits, and Method Overview](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/1e17ab77b64c) (YouTube)
28. [Managed Aquifer Recharge Part II: Design and Implementation](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/2e36c1e5bf59) (YouTube)
29. [Traditional Water Harvesting in India and Groundwater Rejuvenation Initiatives](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/b5f8f580149a) (YouTube)
30. [Policy and Management Approaches for Sustainable Groundwater Recharge](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/bbbca3c87338) (YouTube)
31. [Policy and Management Approaches for Sustainable Groundwater Recharge](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/477ebfac66cf) (YouTube)
32. [Hydrochemistry and Groundwater Quality](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/c36c985d4ea7) (YouTube)
33. [Chemical Parameters and Composition of Groundwater](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/d63a67476024) (YouTube)
34. [Groundwater Sampling and Chemical Data Representation](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/6f3e71d2728c) (YouTube)
35. [Geochemical Changes in Groundwater](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/b6e20ea95d3e) (YouTube)
36. [MAR and Geochemical process](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/839d3e6b5101) (YouTube)
37. [Groundwater Quality Criteria](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/b634c63846dc) (YouTube)
38. [Application of Isotopes in Groundwater Sustainability](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/f6fd76e3833c) (YouTube)
39. [Application of Isotopes in Groundwater Sustainability](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/c8e1279e2f64) (YouTube)
40. [Artificial isotopes as tracers](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/19b0d54c8857) (YouTube)
41. [Groundwater Management and Contamination](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/c25f134d174f) (YouTube)
42. [Type of contaminants - 1](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/c5441004b03a) (YouTube)
43. [Type of contaminants - 2](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/0caea49e64a9) (YouTube)
44. [Health Risk Assessment](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/6e9872203ce8) (YouTube)
45. [Sustainable Mangement for addressing Groundwater Contamination](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/9f56bd272928) (YouTube)
46. [Applications of Isotopic Techniques in Groundwater Hydrology](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/eb8355bfb03b) (YouTube)
47. [Coastal Aquifers and Seawater Intrusion : Part I](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/1bf1462b9296) (YouTube)
48. [Coastal Aquifers and Seawater Intrusion : Part II](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/b61f776cb0aa) (YouTube)
49. [Different Methods of Identification of Coastal Salinisation](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/992f32f35b99) (YouTube)
50. [Methods of Prevention/Limiting Seawater Intrusion](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/ed89222c19ba) (YouTube)
51. [Sustainable management of coastal Aquifers](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/03e326312d21) (YouTube)
52. [Groundwater Modelling for sustainable management](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/c3ca47582cf7) (YouTube)
53. [Numerical Approaches in Groundwater Modelling](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/b339a1401011) (YouTube)
54. [Solute Transport Process & Stages of Modelling](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/9fae93b4c1b4) (YouTube)
55. [Case Studies on Groundwater Modelling – South Chennai](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/f270c73eec72) (YouTube)
56. [Case Studies on Groundwater Modelling – South Chennai Part II](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/0f398d6c6a92) (YouTube)
57. [Urban and Agricultural Management](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/bbd449b553a5) (YouTube)
58. [Urban Groundwater Pollution, Governance, and Management](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/13b748a1ede8) (YouTube)
59. [Methods of Urban Aquifer Recharge and Water Pricing : Case studies](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/1fa36dd1e2a4) (YouTube)
60. [Sustainable Groundwater Use in Agriculture](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/86db2f766067) (YouTube)
61. [Sustainable Irrigation Practices](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/f144d60dd587) (YouTube)
62. [Water Audit : Concept & Importance](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/10c5d621fbcd) (YouTube)
63. [Expert Lecture 1 - Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Concepts, Challenges, and Oppurtunites](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/61c4e5dac768) (YouTube)
64. [Expert Lecture 2 - Groundwater Sustainability Interaction of Science and Policy](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/86a596d13457) (YouTube)
65. [Governance, Policy & Institutional Frameworks - Part I](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/18debc265202) (YouTube)
66. [Governance, Policy & Institutional Frameworks - Part II](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/10fe8c192da0) (YouTube)
67. [Urban Water and Agricultural Water Efficiency](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/728b393c2649) (YouTube)
68. [Case Studeis : Rural and Urban Solutions](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/c84f6d675e46) (YouTube)
69. [Groundwater Institutions, Laws & Stakeholders](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/54d38dffdc16) (YouTube)
70. [Sectorwise Analysis of Groundwater Regulation and Use](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/c028e9a4c33b) (YouTube)
71. [Sustainable Groundwater Initiatives in India](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/ae1f7e3f396a) (YouTube)
72. [Groundwater Governance : History, Foundations and Constitutional Scheme](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/9ac02cf2ade6) (YouTube)
73. [Future Challenges and Innovations in Sustainable Groundwater Management](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/82afb2e23dbd) (YouTube)
74. [Impacts of Climate Change on Groundwater: Future Projections and Case Studies](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/5e5f106d62d4) (YouTube)
75. [Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Groundwater Sustainability](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/2e2fa295f289) (YouTube)
76. [Future Challenges in Participatory Approaches to Sustainable Groundwater Management](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/10e1d328ce71) (YouTube)
77. [Strategies for Community Participation in Sustainable Groundwater Management](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/1a1901a14ce6) (YouTube)
78. [Participatory Groundwater Management](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/19262aad703d) (YouTube)
79. [Policy Interventions fro Sustaible Groundwater Management in India](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/6ace62c23c39) (YouTube)
80. [River bank Filtration : A Source for Sustainable Drinking Water](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/105106694/ab178c97f137) (YouTube)