Decoding Groundwater Regulations for Borewells in Bangalore

If you are planning to dig a borewell in Bangalore, it is important to understand the regulations and obtain the necessary permissions. Under the Karnataka Ground Water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Act, 2011, and
Rules, 2012, it is mandatory to apply for a permit to dig new borewells.

Additionally, existing borewells and drilling agencies must be registered with the Karnataka Groundwater Authority. Let’s explore the process in detail.
Who needs to take permission or register borewells?
All users who extract and use groundwater in Karnataka fall under the purview of the
law. Whether you are an individual, commercial establishment, industry, or drilling agency, you must comply with the regulations.
Why take permission?
The authority, in consultation with various expert bodies, has deemed it necessary to regulate the extraction and use of groundwater in the interest of the public.
Consequently, the Karnataka Groundwater Authority has declared areas as “Notified” based on groundwater availability and extraction. In Bangalore, the entire city is declared “Notified,” making it mandatory to obtain a permit for digging borewells.
Which form should you fill out?
The form you need to fill out depends on your user purpose:

1. Individual Drinking/Agricultural Use:
2. Form-1A for new users
3. Form-4 for existing users
4. Processing Fee: Rs 50
5. Supporting Documents/Conditions: Khata Certificate, Survey Number of the property, Address Proof, Ownership Proof, Tax paid receipts issued by the local authority, or Record of Right (RTC) pertaining to the property.
6. Commercial Establishments/Industries:
7. Form-1B
8. Form-4 for existing users
9. Processing Fee: Rs 500
10. Supporting Documents/Conditions: Documents from the competent authority for the establishment.
11. Drilling Agencies (Business):
12. Form-6
13. Processing Fee: Rs 5000
14. Supporting Documents/Conditions:
15. Must have a compressor of the drilling rig with a minimum capacity of 900/200 PSI.
16. Must possess machinery to drill a borewell with a minimum diameter of 152 mm.
17. Must have an appointed driller with a minimum qualification of a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and at least 3 years of experience in water well drilling in hard rock terrain.
    How to apply for permission?
18. Check the appropriate forms and download them from the provided links: Karnataka Groundwater Authority Forms
    http://khanija.kar.ncode.in/SitePages/GroundWaterInfo.aspx
    Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board
    https://bwssb.gov.in/download-forms
19. Print and fill out the forms.
20. Write a pay-in slip for the required amount in favor of “Chairman, Karnataka Groundwater Authority” and credit it to Canara Bank account 0788201052332 of Karnataka Ground Water Authority.
21. Submit the filled-out form along with copies of the bank challan, Khata certificate, survey number of the property, latest BWSSB bill, and payment receipt to the following addresses: In BBMP limits (Bangalore):
22. Chief Engineer, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Kaveri Bhavan, Bangalore – 560 009.
23. You can also submit it at your local BWSSB sub-division office. In BDA limits (other taluks):
24. Submit the completed forms with supporting documents to the local governmental authority of the respective region.
25. Upon approval, the registration certificate will be issued by the BWSSB (for BBMP limits) or the District Groundwater office (for other districts).
    Registration:
    Once your borewell is dug, it must be registered with the BWSSB for BBMP limits or submitted on Form-4 to the senior scientist or deputy director at the District Groundwater Authority’s office in other districts. The registration certificate (Form 5A)
    will be provided by the respective office.
    Inquiries/Complaints:
    If someone without the required permission or a non-registered drilling agency
    approaches you, you can file a complaint with the following offices:
26. Chief Engineer, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Cauvery Bhavan, Bangalore – 560 009, Phone: 080-22945105.
27. BWSSB sub-division engineer of the respective region.
28. Senior Geologist, Ground Water Authority, 13th Floor, Visweswaraiah Tower, Bangalore – 560 001, Phone: 080-22862108, Mobile: 9845132136.
29. Additional Director (Groundwater), No. 49, Mineral House, Race Course Road, Bangalore – 560 001, Phone: 080-22384134, Cell: 9964010538.
    What happens after submitting the application?
    The Authority will inform the applicant about the grant or refusal of the permit within sixty days from the date of receipt of the application. The decision is subject to specific pre-conditions.
    Permissions for new users:
30. Drinking/Agricultural Use: Form-2A (Permission), Form-2B (Rejection), No tenure specified.
31. Commercial Establishments/Industries: Form-3A (Permission), Form-3B (Rejection), No tenure specified.
32. Drilling Agencies (Business): Form-7A (Permission), Form-7B (Rejection), Valid for 2 years. Permissions for existing users:
33. Drinking Water, Agriculture, and Industrial/Commercial/Entertainment Use: Form-5A (Permission), Form-5B (Rejection), No tenure specified.
    Post-permission obligations:
    Every industrial, commercial, or another groundwater user must install a water measuring device (adhering to ISI specifications) and submit monthly information about the total quantity of groundwater extraction to the Authority. Additionally,
    drilling agencies must provide monthly information about the date, location, number of borewells drilled, depth, casing, and yield of each borewell to the concerned district authority.
    Non-compliance penalties:
    Any person or drilling agency obstructing the Authority, refusing to furnish required information, drilling without a permit, or violating other provisions of the Act may face penalties, including fines and imprisonment, as specified in the regulations.