Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency,

Aurangabad city is famous for its water supply schemes of historical importance. Initially the town received its water supply from springs or wells, connected with small underground masonry pipes. These systems were designed to supply sufficient water through out the year. The city still depends upon some of these sources and of these four are still in a working order. However, with increasing population and urbanization the geographical area of the city has also increased manifold, demand supply calculations were to be regularly revised. The water supply network has been upgraded accordingly and new dependable source from the Jayakwadi Major Irrigation Project has been tapped to fulfill the demand. Due to rainfall variability Jayakwadi reservoir is facing problems of assured inflow and is not getting filled up to the capacity every year. This ultimately is affecting water supply of the city and also causing distress among farming communities. Besides this, tremendous amount of energy is required for pumping, which is increasing the cost of water supply to the city. In view of these facts and considering the availability of groundwater resources within city limits it is now very essential to think about development and management of groundwater dependant sources to supplement the city water supply. There is scope for groundwater based water supply schemes, as around 18 Mm3 of groundwater resource are available and is economical than the surface water. The domestic requirement of around 40-50 % of the present population can be catered though groundwater. Geology of the city is favorable for artificial groundwater recharge, hence groundwater management measures like rainwater harvesting by different ways and means are very much essential