Comparative study of Ranney well and Hydro-abstraction well and ground water quality analysis: a case study of Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi

Abstract

Groundwater is a key resource for agriculture, which uses approximately 9–105 Mm³ of groundwater in producing a global output valued at $210–$230 billion each year (Shah et al. Water for food, water for life: a comprehensive assessment of water management in agriculture. Earthscan and Colombo, International Water Management Institute, London, 2007). The analysis of groundwater abstraction and water levels shows that the area's excessive water abstraction almost fully controls the aquifer's hydrology. The hydro-abstraction well is a hydraulic structure which is used as an alternative source instead of Ranney well. The problems with Ranney wells are that Ranney wells are difficult and need a complex hydro-geological system where the sub-surface strata should be medium-to-coarse sand along with water table condition within 6 m from the ground surface. If the clay layers come in between, depth of the Ranney well which is 32 m, then sinking of Ranney well cannot be done uniformly. As a result, the rings/walls of the Ranney well develop cracks and fail due to differential settlement where the RCC of the rings comes under tensile position. Irrespective of Ranney well, the hydro-abstraction well can be installed anywhere along the river bank with all types of strata and to a depth of 15 m water level from the ground surface. To address the seepage and ground water issues and manage them, the paper compares the two types of wells. The investigation that was done on a location that is often influenced by ground water hazards is described in the report. For the interpretation of the sub-surface geological feature, fieldwork justifications are given.