Water Balance Studies in the Overexploited Rasipuram Area, TamilNadu

Crop water requirement and rainfall recharge factor were used to estimate the recharge and discharge in the over-exploited terrain near Rasipuram. The water balance study shows that the level of groundwater utilization is well over 100%, reaching levels as high as 225%. The spatial pattern of groundwater utilization shows good correspondence with dynamic groundwater level pattern in the area. A comparison of the two indicates the possibility of the presently existing groundwater trough enlarging and moving eastwards in the future, if the present day pattern of groundwater abstraction continues.