DI04006051 · Semester 4 · 5G scheme
Ground Water Engineering
Notes and solutions following the Gujarat Technological University (GTU) syllabus for DI04006051. Independent material — not issued by the university.
Materials
Complete Book
The whole syllabus, unit by unit, written for the exam.
Complete Book
164 pages
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Syllabus units
Unit 1: Introduction to Groundwater
- Sources of water
- Hydrological cycle and role of groundwater.
- hydrological properties of water bearing strata
- Distribution of subsurface water: zone of aeration, zone of saturation, water table.
- Types of Aquifers:- confined, unconfined, perched, artesian. Aquiclude, aquitard, aquifuge..
- Properties of aquifers: Porosity, void ratio. Specific yield, specific retention, Hydraulic conductivity, transmissibility, storage coefficient.
- Causes of changes in groundwater quantity (natural & man-made).
- Causes of fluctuation in groundwater quantity (recharge, discharge, seasonal variations, overuse)
Unit 2: Groundwater Survey & Quality
- Surface surveys: geological, geomorphological, soil, remote sensing, surface geophysics.
- Subsurface surveys: exploratory drilling, borehole logging, electric logging, radioactive logging.
- Importance of geophysical survey in groundwater exploration.
- Physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of groundwater.
- Parameters: pH, TDS, EC, hardness, alkalinity, chloride, nitrate, fluoride.
- IS and WHO standards for drinking water.
- Causes of quality degradation: industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, seawater intrusion.
- Methods of improving groundwater quality: treatment, blending, artificial recharge.
- Sources - industrial effluents, fertilizers, pesticides, urban waste. Remedial & preventive measures.
Unit 3: Artificial Recharge & Conservation
- Concept and need for artificial recharge in India.
- Objectives: augmenting groundwater storage, preventing overdraft, controlling decline in water table.
- Techniques of artificial recharge: 3.3.1 Surface spreading methods - spreading basins, percolation tanks, check dams. 3.3.2 Subsurface methods - recharge wells, injection wells, shaft recharge. 3.3.3 Rooftop rainwater harvesting and urban recharge.
- Suitability, advantages and limitations of methods.
- Identification of recharge zones using geological and hydrological criteria.
- Case studies of artificial recharge projects in India.
Unit 4: Wells & Tube Wells
- Introduction to wells and tube wells, importance in irrigation and water supply.
- Classification: open wells, dug wells, tube wells (shallow, deep, cavity, slotted pipe, strainer type).
- Difference between wells and tube wells.
- Well hydraulics: Darcy's law applications, specific yield, well losses, safe yield, interference of wells.
- Construction methods of wells and tube wells - site selection, drilling methods, well development.
- Pumping equipment: plunger pump, jet pump, submersible pump, air lift pump.
- Design of a simple tube well - steps, size, design considerations, yield estimation.
Unit 5: Seawater Intrusion & Groundwater Management
- Causes of seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers.
- Mechanism: Ghyben-Herzberg principle, interface of freshwater-seawater.
- Effects of seawater intrusion: salinity increase, degradation of water quality, impact on agriculture.
- Preventive measures: pumping control, artificial recharge barriers, freshwater injection, subsurface dams.
- Groundwater basin management: balancing recharge and discharge.
- Conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater resources.
- Sustainable management strategies in India.
About this course
Groundwater is an essential part of the hydrological cycle and forms a crucial source of water for domestic, industrial, and agricultural use in India. With increasing population, urbanization, and industrialization, dependence on groundwater has grown, leading to over-extraction and quality deterioration. Civil Engineers must understand aquifers, well hydraulics, artificial recharge methods, groundwater quality, and management practices. This subject equips students with applied knowledge and practical skills for surveying, developing, conserving, and sustainably managing groundwater resources.