Tube wells to be regulated by Govt
Government authorities are cracking down on large- scale, unauthorised use of ground water resources, stepping up regulations and approvals in this sector not only in industrial use but for other users as well.
In a public announcement on April 6, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) said industrialists engaged in commercial activities utilising ground water and spring water must follow certain rules and regulations.
Most of the industries that use ground water and spring water are beverage and bottle water companies.
“It is expected to minimise the environmental problems and hazards arising out due to excess ground water, obtained by end related to the industries, utilising deep and shallow ground water and spring water at commercial level as per the orders regulating, executed and implemented under Sections 16(1) and 16(2) pertaining to the matters mentioned in section 12(1) of the Water Resources Board Act No.29 of 1964, published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2016/23, dated 16th March, 2017,” the NWRB said.
Hence, it pointed out, the Board is making arrangements to gather information with regard to industries that obtain ground water for commercial purposes and thus all the relevant information with details pertaining to this issue should be furnished by all the institutions including the governmental; (public) institutions/organisations, local Government bodies, NGOs and private sector institutions utilising ground water for their commercial level activities to the NWRB to be received on or before May 31.
It said all organisations that obtain and use ground water for commercial purpose exceeding 30,000 litres per month will have to fix flow meters to measure the quantity and level of water pumped out from the relevant water source and they should maintain the date records/registers for the said purpose and acts of measuring the level and quantity of water pumped in and used, each day of utility. NWRB said it would make inspection and monitor the activities in this context.