CGWA notifies revised guidelines for groundwater extraction

The Central Ground Water Authority has notified revised guidelines for groundwater extraction effective June 1, 2019. The revised guidelines aim to ensure a more robust groundwater regulatory mechanism in the country. One of the salient features of the revised guidelines is the introduction of the concept of a water conservation fee, which will vary with the category of the area, type of industry and the quantum of groundwater extraction. Other key features include encouraging use of recycled and treated sewage water by industries, provision for action against polluting industries, and mandatory requirement of digital flow meters, piezometers and digital water level recorders, among others.