Illegal borewells, rising water inequality worsen Delhi water crisis

Amid scorching summer temperatures, India's capital is once again in the grip of a severe water crisis, which has been made worse by rising inequality in access to water and spike in illegal use of groundwater.

For the past month, record high temperatures and depleted water supplies through the Yamuna River have left the national capital Delhi reeling under an unprecedented water crisis.

Though taps going dry during summer is not a new phenomenon in Delhi and other cities in the region, this year the shortage of water has reached unprecedented levels, leaving residents in various parts of the city facing acute water shortages.

The worst impact of water shortage, however, is being felt by the millions of slum dwellers who have made Delhi their home as rising inequality in access to water has made their taps run dry, while large quantities of water continue to be wasted in the chic quarters of the capital.

Over the years, hydrologists have been warning that Delhi faces alarming water shortage, saying that the city’s burgeoning population, coupled with limited natural water resources, has led to a situation where demand far outstrips supply.

According to the economic survey presented by Delhi government in March, Delhi currently receives about 1,000 million gallons per day (MGD) in supply, mainly through River Yamuna, while its requirement is 1290 MGD for an estimated population of 21.5 million, leading to a demand-supply gap of more than 290 MGD.

This shortage of water is felt most acutely in densely populated neighbourhoods and unauthorised colonies, where residents are forced to rely on water tankers or private vendors. These vendors often charge exorbitant rates, making access to water an economic burden for many families. The crisis is exacerbated during the peak summer months, when temperatures soar and demand for water increases.

Delhi’s water supply largely hinges on its neighbouring states, relying on Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to meet around 90 pc of its drinking water demand.

According to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), the capital’s raw water supply is drawn from four primary sources. The Yamuna River, sourced through Haryana, accounts for 40 pc of Delhi’s water. The Ganga River contributes 25 pc, while another 22 pc comes from the Bhakra Nangal Dam. The remaining 13 pc is sourced from subsurface sources, including Ranney wells and tube-wells. This heavy dependence on external sources makes Delhi vulnerable to inter-state water disputes and fluctuating availability. Any reduction in supply from these neighbouring states can immediately trigger a severe water crisis in the city. Additionally, the reliance on subsurface sources like Ranney wells and tube-wells has been strained due to over extraction and declining groundwater levels.

Delhi’s water crisis is a complex and multifaceted issue, perpetuated by several interrelated factors. One of the primary contributors is the over-extraction of groundwater. As surface water sources become increasingly unreliable, residents and businesses have turned to groundwater to meet their needs, often drilling borewells without permits and without any limit on water extraction.

This practice has led to a significant decline in the water table, making it difficult to sustain groundwater extraction in the long term. It has become one of the most worrying aspects of Delhi’s water crisis. In several areas, the water table has dropped to levels where it is no longer feasible to pump water.

“The indiscriminate drilling of borewells, often without proper regulation, has compounded our water problem. As surface water sources become scarcer, both residents and businesses alike have increasingly resorted to extracting groundwater to meet their needs. This over extraction has led to a sharp decline in water tables, with levels dropping to the point where it is no longer feasible to pump water in many areas. Without stringent regulations and sustainable practices, our reliance on groundwater is pushing us towards an environmental crisis that threatens our long-term water security,” Sarfaraaz Rasheed, a PHD student from Lovely Professional University  who is a resident of South Delhi tells Media India Group.

“This practice of borewells is particularly prevalent in middle and high-income groups, who have the financial means to install and maintain private borewells. However, this solution is unsustainable and environmentally damaging in the long term,” he adds.

In an attempt to bridge the demand-supply gap, the Delhi Jal Board has incrementally escalated groundwater extraction over the past five years. Reportedly, this extraction surged from 86 MGD in 2020 to about 135 MGD in 2024. However, this strategy is not sustainable.

The Central Groundwater Board (CGWB), in its ‘Dynamic Groundwater Resources of India 2023’ report released on December 1, 2023, disclosed that around 41.49 pc of Delhi’s area of 1,487.61 sqkm is considered ‘over-exploited’ due to high levels of groundwater extraction. This relentless extraction exacerbates the depletion of the water table.

According to  Delhi Jal Board, there are 20,552 illegal borewells in Delhi, these unauthorised borewells contribute significantly to the depletion of Delhi’s already stressed water tables, exacerbating the city’s water crisis. In this situation, the plans of Delhi Jal Board to install 1,034 new tubewells, aimed at extracting an additional 23.45 MGD of groundwater, raises concerns about sustainability.

In recent years, the absence of additional water allocation to Delhi has forced the Delhi Jal Board  to increase groundwater extraction steadily. According to a report, Delhi Jal Board raised groundwater extraction from 86 MGD in 2020 to around 135 MGD in 2024. This incremental rise aims to bridge the demand-supply gap but has led to over-extraction, exacerbating the decline in groundwater levels. The strategy, while providing short-term relief, highlights the urgent need for sustainable water management practices and additional surface water sources to ensure long-term water security for Delhi.

“The initiative to augment water supply through new tubewells while acknowledging the risk of over-reliance on groundwater highlights the complexities we face in managing Delhi’s water resources. Addressing both illegal extraction and increasing official groundwater extraction is essential but challenging. To secure our long-term water security amidst ongoing environmental challenges, strict regulation of borewell drilling and robust water conservation measures are crucial. These sustainable solutions are imperative not only to mitigate the current water crisis but also to safeguard the future availability of clean water for all Delhi residents,” Zahid Malik, an advocate, tells Media India Group.

Pollution of water sources further worsens the crisis. Industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and untreated sewage contaminate the Yamuna River and other water bodies, reducing the availability of clean water for the city’s residents. This pollution not only affects surface water but also seeps into the groundwater, compromising its quality.

The growth of the migrant population in Delhi has also put immense pressure on the city’s water resources. As the capital attracts people from all over the country seeking better opportunities, the demand for water has surged. This rapid population growth, coupled with urban expansion, has outpaced the development of water infrastructure, leading to frequent shortages.

Inefficient water management practices have also played a role in perpetuating the crisis. The Delhi Jal Board, responsible for managing the city’s water supply, has struggled to keep up with the rising demand. Despite various initiatives, issues such as leakage, inadequate distribution networks, and wastage continue to undermine the effectiveness of water management efforts.

“Addressing Delhi’s water crisis demands a multifaceted strategy that prioritises sustainability and resilience. As the city grapples with depleting groundwater levels and escalating water demand, it is imperative to shift towards holistic solutions,” Bhavreen Kandhari, an environmentalist based in Delhi, tells Media India Group.

“Reducing dependency on groundwater must be a cornerstone of Delhi’s water management strategy. This necessitates robust policies to regulate extraction, coupled with incentives for alternative sources like rainwater harvesting and treated wastewater reuse. Simultaneously, enhancing water conservation practices across sectors from domestic to industrial can significantly alleviate pressure on existing resources and improving pollution control measures is another critical aspect. Contamination of water bodies exacerbates scarcity and poses serious health risks. Implementing stringent regulations on industrial effluents and promoting eco-friendly practices are essential steps towards cleaner water sources,” she adds.

“Furthermore, fostering regional cooperation is indispensable. Collaborative efforts with neighbouring states to manage river basins effectively and equitably can optimise water utilisation and mitigate inter-state conflicts.Incorporating these measures requires political will, public participation, and technological innovation. By adopting a proactive approach grounded in sustainability, Delhi can secure a reliable water supply for its residents while safeguarding the environment for future generations,” Khandhari adds.

Climate change is another critical factor impacting Delhi’s water situation. Erratic weather patterns, reduced rainfall, and prolonged droughts have diminished the natural replenishment of water sources. These adverse impacts of climate change are expected to intensify, making water management even more challenging in the future.

Low-income residents of Delhi already face significant challenges in accessing clean water, and the situation is likely to worsen for millions due to the compounded effects of climate change and inefficient water management by the government. As part of a new water rationing strategy, Water Minister Atishi Marlena Singh has announced that several neighborhoods in South Delhi will now receive water only once daily, instead of the previous twice-daily supply. This decision impacts areas such as Greater Kailash, Lajpat Nagar, Panchsheel Park, Hauz Khas, Chittaranjan Park, and nearby locations.

“The rationing measure aims to tackle the immediate water shortage reveals deeper issues of mismanagement and the urgency for sustainable solutions. This reduction in water supply in our neighbourhoods emphasises the critical necessity for improved water conservation practices and upgraded infrastructure to ensure fairer distribution of water throughout Delhi. Without substantial reforms, both low-income families like mine and middle-income households will confront worsening water scarcity, amplifying our daily struggles,” Anjali Devi, a resident of Lajpat Nagar tells Media India Group.

As many as 21.6 pc households in Delhi don’t have the access to safe drinking water within their homes. According to a survey by Delhi Government, 44 pc residents of Delhi’s slums depend on bottled water for drinking purpose.

With reduced availability of clean water, marginalised communities in unauthorised colonies often rely on unsafe sources, leading to waterborne diseases. Insufficient water supply hampers the maintenance and cleanliness of public toilets, exacerbating health risks. When water is scarce, sewage systems fail, increasing the diseases such as cholera.

According to netizens, there is an urgent need for improved water management and infrastructure to ensure all residents, especially the most vulnerable, have access to safe and adequate water, thereby preventing health crises and maintaining public hygiene.

“We, the poor, are suffering greatly from the water crisis, while the government remains engrossed in political manoeuvres. No one seems to notice or care about our plight. The scorching heat has exacerbated our hardships, and with each passing day of water scarcity, our condition deteriorates further. It is a desperate situation where basic survival is at stake, and we feel abandoned and neglected,” Sunita Devi, a resident of South Delhi, tells Media India Group.

“The biggest challenge we face is the lack of access to safe drinking water. With young children falling ill almost every other day, I feel utterly helpless. It is heartbreaking to see them suffer, knowing that clean water could prevent their illnesses. Our struggle is not just about water scarcity, it is about basic health and survival. We need urgent intervention and support from authorities to ensure every family, especially those with children, has reliable access to safe drinking water. It is a matter of our children’s health and our hope for a better future,” Devi adds.