Compliance
Groundwater Extraction & CGWA Compliance
Understanding telemetry, water audits, and the stringent process for obtaining a CGWA NOC.
2 min read Aaradhya Enviro technical team
Quick answer
Industries and projects drawing groundwater generally need a groundwater extraction NOC under the CGWA guidelines. Typical conditions include digital flow meters, piezometers for water-level monitoring, water audits, recharge measures and timely renewal. Some small users are exempt, so applicability should be checked case by case.
1. The Aquifer Crisis
India is currently extracting more groundwater than the US and China combined. To arrest the catastrophic decline in water tables, the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has criminalized the extraction of groundwater by industries without a valid No Objection Certificate (NOC).
2. Prerequisites for CGWA NOC
Industries cannot simply pay a fee to extract water. They must prove extreme water efficiency:
- Mandatory Rainwater Harvesting (RWH): Industries must implement scientifically designed RWH structures to recharge the aquifer. The required recharge volume is proportional to the volume of water extracted.
- Telemetry Flow Meters: Mechanical meters are banned. Industries must install electromagnetic or ultrasonic flow meters equipped with IoT telemetry that uploads real-time extraction data to the CGWA servers.
- Annual Water Audits: Industries extracting more than 100 KLD (Kilo Liters per Day) must undergo rigorous water audits by certified agencies to identify leakages and prove maximum recycling (via ETP/STP).