Across India, borewells are a lifeline. From homes in urban layouts to farms in rural villages, millions depend on groundwater every single day. But in recent years, many users face a worrying pattern: borewells that once gave steady water now yield less… or run dry entirely.

The reason often lies underground in the depleting water table.

What Is the Water Table?

The water table is the top level of groundwater stored in soil and rock layers (aquifers). When you drill a borewell, you tap into these aquifers.

A healthy water table means:

• Borewells get enough water
• Pumping is easier and more energy-efficient
• Water supply is consistent

A falling water table means the opposite — and it’s becoming more common in India.

Why Is the Water Table Depleting in India?

India faces one of the world’s fastest groundwater declines. These are the key reasons:

1. Over-Extraction of Groundwater

More than 60% of India’s irrigation depends on borewells. In many agricultural belts (Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat), groundwater is pumped faster than nature can replenish it.

2. Rapid Urbanization

Growing cities replace open soil with concrete. This reduces natural rainwater percolation, which is essential for aquifer recharge.

3. Declining and Irregular Rainfall

Erratic monsoons, longer dry spells, and changing climate patterns reduce the amount of rain that reaches underground aquifers.

4. Multiple Borewells in Close Proximity

When several households or farms tap water from the same aquifer, the water table drops rapidly. In many villages, every field has a borewell — all drawing from one source.

5. Water-Intensive Cropping

Crops like sugarcane, paddy, and banana require heavy irrigation. In regions where rainfall is low, dependence on borewells increases.

6. Poor Groundwater Management Practices

Lack of recharge structures, unchecked drilling, and absence of groundwater monitoring contribute to long-term depletion.

How Water Table Depletion Affects Borewells

A falling water table impacts borewell performance in several ways:

1. Reduced Water Yield

The water level may drop below the pump intake, causing:

• Weak flow
• Intermittent water supply
• Sudden stoppages

2. Pumps Running Dry

When pumps run without water, they overheat or burn out — leading to expensive repairs.

3. Need to Deepen Borewells

Many users are forced to:

• Re-drill deeper
• Install higher-capacity pumps
• Spend more on casing and wiring

4. Increased Electricity Consumption

Lifting water from greater depths requires more power. For farmers, this means higher costs; for households, higher bills.

5. Decline in Water Quality

Deep aquifers may contain:

• Higher mineral content
• Salinity
• Hard water
• Contaminants

This affects drinking water and can damage appliances.

Signs Your Borewell Is Affected by Water Table Drop

You may notice:

• Water flow reduces during summer
• Pump frequently stops after a few minutes
• Muddy or sandy water
• Pump motor overheats
• Air bubbles from the outlet
• Borewell technician suggests lowering the pump

These signs usually mean the water table has declined.

What Borewell Owners Can Do — Practical Solutions

1. Install a Dry-Run Protection Device

Prevents pump failure by automatically switching off the motor when water is insufficient.

2. Adopt Water-Efficient Practices at Home

• Fix leaks
• Use low-flow taps
• Reuse grey water for gardening
  Small steps reduce groundwater demand significantly.

3. Recharge Your Borewell

Rainwater harvesting methods such as:

• Recharge pits
• Percolation wells
• Recharge trenches
  can directly restore the water table around your borewell.

4. Share Water Wisely

If multiple borewells exist in one locality, coordinate pump timings to reduce simultaneous groundwater draw.

5. Use the Right Pump Capacity

Oversized pumps extract water too fast, accelerating borewell failure.
A properly sized Texmo Submersible Pump ensures optimal discharge without over-extraction.

6. For Farmers: Use Micro-Irrigation Systems

Drip and sprinkler irrigation systems reduce water requirements by 40–60% compared to conventional methods, significantly lowering groundwater extraction and helping maintain stable aquifer levels.

7. Monitor Water Levels Annually

A simple annual check helps track seasonal and long-term changes, allowing timely planning.

Aqua Group’s Perspective: Smart Pumps for Smart Water Use

At Aqua Group, we understand how closely borewell performance is tied to groundwater levels.
Our Texmo submersible pumps are designed to:

• Deliver stable discharge even with varying water levels
• Handle deeper water tables efficiently
• Operate safely with dry-run protection and thermal overload safeguards
• Reduce power consumption in deep bore operations

Choosing the right pump is essential but using groundwater responsibly is even more important.

Final Thoughts

Water table depletion is a growing challenge in India, but with awareness, responsible usage, and modern pump technologies, borewell owners can manage its impact effectively. By combining groundwater recharge, efficient pump usage, and sustainable water practices, we can ensure reliable water for homes, farms, and future generations.