Introduction

The estimated ground water potential in our state is 35,290 mcm. Out of this, 15% of the total ground water potential is used for drinking and industrial purposes. The balance utilisable ground water resources available for irrigation is in the order of 30,000 mcm out of which 53% is available in command areas.

The development of ground water in the State is mainly through 12.20 lakh open wells and 3.16 lakh bore/tube wells. During the last two decades there is a two fold increase in well population 16 lakhs in 1995-96. In recent years the shallow open dugwells are being replaced by deep borewells. They have Table 4.2.3 Water logging in the major command areas of AP4

Name of No.of Groundwater Water Area prone to Water logged

the Total extent of monitoring water loggin in area in ha.

command Wells Command started during ha.

in lakh ha. the year

Due to the exploitation of ground water by the deep bore wells the ground water level has gone down drastically in some areas. The department of ground water has established about 2,700 wells all over the state to monitor ground water levels and chemical quality of water. Monitoring the levels helps in identifying the areas where the levels are showing a declining trend and remedial measures can be taken.

The following is a summary of a study conducted by 'Central ground water Board (CGWB)' in

Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam on "Source and demand of water".

A thirty year thirst - water supply projections for hyderabad

Year	Population Covered	Water requirement projected	Actual Suppiled
1991	3.30	722	545
1994	4.35	913	680
2001	6.23	1,105	1,09
2011	8.19	1,862	1,906
2021	10.15	2,224	1,906

Note mld: million litre per day.