Hydrological Survey: A methodological approach to finding groundwater at the Mumbai collective

Borewell digging at the Mumbai Collective

In a region that receives a staggering 4000 mm of rainfall annually (2/3rd of that of the challenging Coorg’s monsoon), one would expect water abundance. However, the Mumbai Collective, a 122-acre landscape where a community envisions a sustainable future, faces an unexpected water deficit. We realised that this issue is not unique to the landscape of our collective but also affects surrounding villages and farms, which rely heavily on borewells for their water needs. This situation speaks of a critical problem: inadequate water recharge in the region. For the communities living here, this could spell a complete cut-off from water resources in the near future. This is alarming not just for the current communities living here but even more so for us, who strive for economic and ecological sustainability where water is the foundation of life, and waterworks are the blueprint of our well-being.

At Beforest Collectives, establishing robust water management and security practices is a cornerstone of building any collective, especially for restoring dry-arid landscapes like the Hyderabad Collective. Hence, while setting up the Mumbai Collective, we conducted an in-depth hydrogeological survey, which became the bedrock for our water management strategies. The experts (Geovale Hydro) analysed various aspects of the landscape’s hydrology, from how much water it receives to its recharge capacity and a lot more. This articulate data was vital for our Ecological Design Team to develop strategies that align with the landscape’s natural water dynamics.

The survey provided us with long-term recharge strategies, including trenching earthworks, check dams, and other water retention and recharge structures. These recommendations were based on a detailed assessment of the terrain, soil, and contours to understand the surface water movement. Additionally, a geological study helped identify optimal borewell locations by examining the subsurface geological composition, determining accessible underground water, and its discharge rates.

Armed with this knowledge, we initiated the well-digging process at two locations within the collective. To ensure accuracy and recheck the survey data on the field, we procured soil samples from various depths to understand the ground composition. Despite initial estimates suggesting a specific depth for water access, the first drops eluded us, leading to a tense moment. However, trusting the process, our team decided to drill a bit further and finally accessed water at approximately 140-150 meters depth.

Connecting to groundwater is a significant milestone, but it is just the beginning. After digging the borewells, our team monitored the discharge rates from each borewell to align with daily usage capacities, as recommended by the hydrogeological survey. This information is crucial for our Ecological Design team to create a farm design that balances irrigation needs with available water resources.

While we celebrate this success, our focus remains on sustainable practices to ensure these borewells continue to serve the community. On this note, we conducted infiltration tests to check how quickly water sinks in the borewell block, which is crucial for its recharge and prolonged functioning. One borewell showed excellent recharge rates, while the other did not fare as well, indicating a need for eventual replacement.

To further secure water for the Mumbai Collective, we plan to implement trenching earthworks across multiple locations, construct cement check dams to retain and recharge large quantities of water and create 2-3 manmade ponds and a few dug wells. These structures will cater to both domestic and irrigation needs. This multi-faceted approach resembles a trickle-down effect, where various strategies of different scales and functions converge to achieve the unified goal of water security.

By combining scientific research with ecological design, we aim to create a landscape that not only meets today’s water needs but also ensures a resilient future. This journey of securing water is not just about survival; it’s about thriving together sustainably today and for generations to come.

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