GROUND WATER REGIME

MONITORING and OPTIMIZATION

OF GROUND WATER
MONITORING NETWORK
By
H.P.Jayaprakash
&
Dr.Anathkumar Ars
Groundwater Monitoring
Provide vital and much needed information about the hydrologic
stresses the aquifer undergoes and how these stresses affect
groundwater recharge, storage and discharge
Long term systematic groundwater monitoring provides essential
data needed to evaluate changes in the resource over time, to
generate groundwater models and predict trends
The principal variables required to be monitored are water level
or head, chemical quality and temperature
The monitoring of the ground water regime also includes
monitoring of spring discharges and their quality & base flow
measurements in streams and rivers
UN Task Force on Monitoring and Assessment, (1999) is the
collection of data, generally at set locations and depths and at
regular time intervals in order to provide information
Groundwater Monitoring
Ground water systems are dynamic in nature and adjust continually
to short term and long-term Changes
Groundwater storage fluctuates in response to natural conditions
as well as artificial conditions
Naturalcondition involves recharge from rainfall, discharge by
evapotranspiration and sub surface inflow/outflow
Artificial condition concerns mainly ground water exploitation and
additional input to the system through surface irrigation network
Efficient and economic operation of groundwater storage, its
monitoring becomes necessary in order to avoid adverse impact on
the system on account of anthropogenic activities


Objectives
Background information against which future changes can be
assessed
An early tracing system for both quality and quantity variation
To evaluate the impact of surface water irrigation system on
groundwater regime
Evaluate the impact of surface water irrigation system on
groundwater regime
Study the influence of geology, geomorphology and land use
on ground water regime
To understand the role of groundwater in hydrological cycle
and influence of recharge/discharge on ground water storage
To study the hydrochemical behaviour of groundwater
To study the temperature variation of ground water in space
and time
Network design
Dedicated ground water monitoring wells in a
hydrogeologial unit
Measured at predetermined frequency.
Why GW measurement
Proven to be indispensable to monitor the
anthropogenic induced and/or natural changes in
water levels
Detect early signs of overexploitation, water logging
and/or other consequences of human impacts on
groundwater levels
Provide the necessary information allowing for
tailormade use and need oriented ground water
resource management
Provide information for the interpretation of
groundwater quality data
Objectives of GW Quality Monitoring
Collection of basic data for general surveillance purposes
Abstracted groundwater and the impact of pollution from both
diffuse, airborne and point sources
Forecast the impact of possible pollution from known sources
Identification of the groundwater quality trends
Pollution impacts and its consequences due to new abstraction
projects
Data support for groundwater quality and quantity modeling
Collection of groundwater quality data for mapping
Used in research and scientific work
Observation of the effects on groundwater from largescale
processes like global
climate changes or maninduced changes in reactionrates of
natural processes like acidification caused from acid rain
Design of GW Monitoring
Should Cover
Entire hydrogeological system
Longterm information on the different aquifers
being developed
Shallow aquifers tapped by open wells, deeper
multilayer aquifers tapped through open dug
wells/dug cum bore well/ bore well/tube wells
Groundwater development issues (Trend, Coastal
Salinity, water logging & pollution)
Network Types
Basic networks
Specific networks
Temporary networks
Basic networks
Information about the availability and quality of
the groundwater
Cover the entire country
Should have a permanent character over long
time
The information from this network
basis of the evaluation of the water level and/or water
quality trends
basis for both countrywide and local hydrogeological
and other scientific investigations
Basic networks- Basic network criteria
Representative stations with fixed distance
between the stations
Should be placed in the main aquifers
Other important aquifers of the area selected on
the basis of representativeness
Reference stations providing background
information should be established outside the
areas affected by direct human activities such as
groundwater pumping and other anthropogenic
changes
Basic networks-Hydrological
benchmark or baseline station
continuing series of consistent observations on hydrological
and related climatological variables (Rainfall, Temp.,
Humidity, Infiltration, Evaporation etc.)
They should reflect local, regional and geographic
differences
Variables varies with the purpose of the network
Spatial and temporal densities of the observations are
concerned, these usually increase with the transition from
the national or regional level to the project specific sites
and/or to the level of local warning requirement
Length of record depends on the duration or the purpose of
the network
Specific networks
Constructed for monitoring selected areas (surveillance) to monitor
the influences of projects and water management systems on
groundwater
Local scale; for specific kinds of pollution, for example, point
sources.
Act as impact stations.
Separate network, or they can be an extension of the basic network
The specific network can have a permanent character, or will be in
operation
For information at that specific place.
For example, around landfills, this could be during the period of
activity and for a period after the landfill has been closed.
Temporary networks
Established to collect data in connection with
particular groundwater projects
Impact stations
Operational during the project period after
which it is closed or may be transferred to
Basic stations
Dimensions of Monitoring Network
The dimensions of network have two aspects
density of network
sampling frequency.
observation well network will provide data
representative of various topographic, geologic,
climatic, and landuse environments
Areal distribution and depth of completion of
piezometers also should consider the physical
boundaries and geologic complexity of aquifers
under study
Basic principles -Location of
monitoring wells
Location of the observation monitoring wells should be
based on hydrogeological, social and economic
considerations
Optimal design Density of the network through statistical
algorithms
Largely guided by local area conditions
The data collected should be unbiased
Not subjected to interference from production wells, canals
or surface water bodies in the neighbourhood
Round the year accessibility
Protection to the monitoring station and the monitoring
equipment(s)
Network Density
Limited number of stations should be established in
each hydrogeological unit having homogeneous water
quality, along the main flow lines
For extending this network additional stations are
located along detailed cross sections of a hydrological
system to provide for adequate representation in the
recharge, discharge and intermediate areas.
For further extension of network, a subdivision of the
main hydrogeological units/homogeneous area type is
used.
Frequency of recording/sampling
The frequency of measurement should be adequate to detect short
term and seasonal groundwater level fluctuation of interest and to
discriminate between the effects of short and long term hydrologic
stresses
Dependent like aquifer type and position, groundwater flow and
recharge rate, aquifer development and climatic conditions
Desirable to have daily water level, at least monthly water levels are
needed for any meaningful analysis.
In areas of high development, continuous daily readings are
required to separate out the effects of cyclic pumpage from
longterm trends
In regional studies, where even monthly readings are not possible,
frequency must be planned considering the timing of onset and
cessation of monsoon
Frequency of recording/sampling
The frequency of the monitoring should be such that
one or more of the following attributes could be
estimated from the monitored water level data after
generating the water level hydrograph.
Peak and trough of the hydrograph,
Time of shallow water level i.e. time during which the
water level falls below a stipulated shallow critical level
Time of deep water level, i.e. time during which the
water levels rises above a stipulated deep critical level
Rate of rise or decline and response time after an
event.
Frequency of recording/sampling
The dates of onset and cessation of monsoon are not uniform throughout the country.
The peak water level may not be achieved in the same period throughout the country
the peak water level measurement in the first half of September in the areas receiving
major part of rains during southwest monsoon.
The areas under the influence of northeast monsoon another peak is reached in second
half of December.
The decline of water table is steep in post monsoon months, an additional measurement in
postmonsoon period is essential to have a more realistic hydrograph
first half of November in the areas under the influence of southwest monsoon and in
March in the areas under the influence of northeast monsoon.
Since the rate of ground water flow is slow, its quality does not generally change rapidly with
time.
Quality change in confined aquifers is a rather slow process as compared to unconfined
aquifers. Annual sampling schedule describes satisfactorily changes in ground water quality.
The current annual sampling schedule during premonsoonperiod (April/May) generally
serves the purpose of regional background monitoring of longterm quality changes.
Current scenario- Groundwater
monitoring
Groundwater levels are being measured four times a year
January, April/ May, August and November by Central Ground Water Board
about 15000 observation wells located all over the country
times are selected coinciding with winter season, premonsoon, monsoon and
postmonsoon for water levels
data is used for
assessment of ground water resources
changes in the regime consequent to various development and management activities
Hydrology Project was implemented by CGWB participation of 9 Peninsular States
2239 purpose built piezometers have been constructed to strengthen the existing
ground water monitoring network
1200 digital water level recorders have been installed at select wells to acquire
high frequency water level data so as to monitor short term ground water regime
changes.
Ground water samples are collected through these observation wells once a year
during the month of April/ May
1342
Current scenario- Groundwater
monitoring
Presently two types of monitoring are in practice in India
Periodic monitoring and continuous monitoring
Periodic: scheduled ground water level measurements daily, weekly, fortnight,
monthly, or season intervals.
Carried out through manual measurement techniques
The most popular the groundwater agencies is either monthly or seasonal.
Continuous monitoring is near real time monitoring which are certain fraction of
wells within the monitoring network
Provide unambiguous and quantitative realtime information on unique and potentially
damaging ground water level events that are occurring and signal these events as early as
possible:
Represent groundwater conditions over a substantial area of the aquifer.
Monitor specific areas where the aquifer may be more susceptible to water level related
problems, and
Provide information that aids in the assessment of saltwater intrusion in those areas
of the aquifer where such considerations are relevant
usually carried out using Digital Water Level Recorders (DWLR)


Optimization
Network by interpolation required where
there is no data
Statistical techniques
However the hydrogeological conditions,
nature of study are the guiding factor to fix up
network density
Optimization
Modified Cv
Other techniques
Krigging
Estimation of Regionalized Variable
Storage and Retrieval of Data
The preexisting system of manual data replaced by dedicated and
userfriendly software
The primary module of groundwater data processing system (including
water quality) developed in course of implementation of the Hydrology
Project is called Ground Water Data Entry Software (GWDES)
The software has a Microsoft Access data base structure at the back end and
the front end has been developed using visual basic for Application.
This GWDES has been replaced by the dedicated software GEMS (Ground
Water Evaluation And Management System).
This software uses relational data base management system ORACLE
Both raw and processed data sets are being stored and archived.
Necessary features like data security protection from data corruption and
provision of controlled accessibility is a part of the system design.
An efficient and userfriendly query system helps in data retrieval.
The dedicated groundwater data processing software includes GIS support to
visualize,
manipulate and analyze spatial data.
The details of operation of the software are available as on line help
Analysis and presentation of data
The water level reflects cumulative effect of natural rechargedischarge condition
and draft.
The water table, which forms the upper surface of the saturated zone, is subjected
to seasonal fluctuation.
This fluctuation is dependent on rainfall infiltration, consumptive use, topography,
soil characteristics, temperature, humidity, lithology of the formation etc.
Ground water levels, observed over a period provide changes due to recharge and
discharge.
The difference between these two factors results in the decline or rise in the
ground water storage.
When the recharge exceeds discharge, there will be rise in the ground water
storage
whereas decline in storage will be observed when recharge is less than discharge.
For every set of measurement (four times seasonal as discussed earlier), the data
is analyzed to prepare a report
Water level analysis
Depth to Water level: General range of water level during the specific
period of measurement
depth to water level ranges viz. 0 2 m, 2 5 m, 5 10 m, 10 20 m, >
20 m etc
Annual Fluctuation: Water level data of specific period as compared
with the corresponding period of the previous year
Seasonal Fluctuation: Comparison of water level with respect to that
during premonsoon
Decadal Fluctuation: Comparison of water level data with the mean of
water level data of the previous decade
wells showing different range of water
The data is presented in the form of numerical tables
District wise minimum and maximum range of water level rise and fall
Water level rise or fall e.g. rise range of 0 2 m, 2 4 m, > 4m etc. and
fall range of 0 2 m, 2 4 m, > 4m etc
Maps prepared on the basis of analysis
of monitoring data
Depth to water level in the particular month of
measurement.
Water level fluctuation in comparison to that in the same
month in the previous year.
Water level fluctuation in comparison to premonsoon
water level.
Water level fluctuation in the month of measurement with
reference to the decadal mean for the same month.
Maps prepared by software like Surfer, MapInfo
professional
Dedicated software (GEMS) is capable of generating data in
a number of formats, Maps, Queries, reports, graphical
representation etc.

Water Quality Analysis
The water quality reflects the chemistry of the
aquifer and effect of anthropogenic activities on
the ground water regime
chemical constituents (such as Fluoride, Iron,
Nitrate, Hardness etc.) above the permissible
limit are demarcated
contour maps for different constituents are
prepared and compared with the results of the
previous year
Based on the analysis, poor ground water quality
areas are delineated
GROUND WATER HYDROGRAPH
Plotting of water levels against time of
observation & Providing the information on
the behavior of water level with time and is
termed as ground water hydrograph
a well hydrograph also shows rising limbs and
lowering limbs
The water level rises when the ground water
storage increases and declines when there is a
decrease in storage.
Hydrograph
Hydrograph
The smoothness of the hydrograph depends on the
frequency of observations.
Higher the frequency more smooth is the hydrograph
and lower the frequency less smooth is the hydrograph
Central Ground Water Board, the present frequency of
measurement, for the All India Network of Hydrograph
Stations, is four times in a year.
The purposebuilt piezometers water level data are
recorded through Digital Water Level Recorders
(DWLR) at higher frequency even 4 times in a day
Hydrograph