Identity

A statutory resource permit governing the legal withdrawal of groundwater for industrial, commercial, and agricultural operations in notified areas.

Overview

Administered by the Central Ground Water Authority under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Water Extraction Consent is a high-priority clearance. It legally allows commercial farm sites to draw groundwater from deep tube wells while mandating volumetric limits and artificial groundwater recharging infrastructure.

Structured Facts

Classification

Statutory Standards & Regulations

Purpose

To regulate and monitor groundwater extraction in notified areas, ensuring aquifer sustainability through mandatory artificial recharging.

Scope & Applicability

Mandatory for commercial livestock and poultry farms operating deep tube wells or undertaking large-scale agricultural water extraction.

Regulatory Requirements

Farms must secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) before installing extraction wells. Operators must pay a Water Conservation Fee based on volumetric extraction.

Compliance Criteria

Farms must implement artificial groundwater recharge infrastructure, such as rainwater harvesting structures. In water-stressed or critical blocks, a "Zero Net Loss" policy applies, permitting extraction only if fully offset by verified artificial recharging.

Monitoring & Inspection

Water consumption is monitored using digital flow meters, which operators must regularly calibrate.

Environmental Limits

Permitted extraction volumes are limited to ensure aquifer protection.

Documentation & Record Keeping

NOC applications submitted through the centralized CGWA portal require a detailed hydrogeological assessment for high-volume extractions. Extraction data must be regularly logged.

Penalties / Non-Compliance

Non-compliance results in substantial financial penalties, confiscation/closure of extraction wells, and prosecution under the Environmental Protection Act, 1986. Failure to comply also triggers SPCB CTO denial.

Best Practices

Maintain routine microbial water quality checks and sanitation to support bird health alongside volumetric tracking.

Quantitative Data

• Compliance Thresholds: Extraction must be offset by rainwater harvesting (Zero Net Loss in critical zones).
• Unit: Cubic meters per day (m3/day)

Relationships

• Equipment: Deep tube wells, Digital flow meters
• Biosecurity: Water Quality Standards, Water Chlorination
• Diseases: Waterborne pathogens
• Government Schemes: SPCB Consent to Operate
• Regulatory Authorities: Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), Ministry of Jal Shakti, State Ground Water Board