Basement Construction – A Challenge for Groundwater

Abstract

Groundwater is defined as the water available beneath the surface of the earth. It is the freshest
source of water available for carrying out daily purposes. From years back people have been extracting
water from below the ground with the help of wells, pumps etc. Groundwater is also considered helpful for
carrying out irrigation practises all over the world. The hydrological cycle is the cycle followed by the water
starting from rivers and lakes to the clouds and to the surface of earth. The hydrological cycle best depicts
the way how the water from lakes and rivers get transformed to groundwater.
The following study is carried out to measure the level of the groundwater in Zirakpur block of S.A.S Nagar
district and analyze how construction of basements affects groundwater level. The instrument used for the
study is a 30m metallic tape and a heavy load. The well used for the study is an open well with impervious
lining.
Month wise, Year wise comparison of the data was carried out to check the level of groundwater. The study
revealed major decline in level of groundwater in Zirakpur. Proper and immediate measures need to be
adopted to control the depletion of groundwater otherwise the state will turn to a desert in the coming years