CENTRAL GROUND WATER BOARD

MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

GROUND WATER INFORMATION

CHITTOOR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH

SOUTHERN REGION
HYDERABAD
JULY, 2007

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 CENTRAL GROUND WATER BOARD
MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

GROUND WATER INFORMATION

CHITTOOR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH

SOUTHERN REGION BHUJAL BHAWAN,

GSI Post, Bandlaguda NH.IV, FARIDABAD-121001
Hyderabad-500068 HARYANA, INDIA
Andhra Pradesh TEL: 0129-2418518
Tel: 24222508 Gram: Bhumijal
Gram: Antarjal

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 GROUND WATER INFORMATION
CHITTOOR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH
By
G.R.C. Reddy, Scientist-D

CONTENTS

CONTRIBUTORS’ PAGE
DISTRICT AT A GLANCE
1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Land Use

1.2 Drainage
1.3 Physiography
1.4 Soils
1.5 Irrigation
1.6 Geology
1.7 Previous works by CGWB

2.0 RAINFALL

3.0 GROUND WATER SCENARIO

3.1 Hydrogeology
3.2 Aquifer parameters
3.3 Water levels
3.4 Ground Water Resources
3.5 Ground Water Quality
3.6 Status of Ground Water Development

4.0 GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

4.1 Ground water development
4.2 Water conservation and artificial recharge

5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

Figures
1. Administrative Divisions of the District
2. Departure of rainfall form the normal for the period 1995-2005
3. Hydrogeology
4. Pre-monsoon depth to water level map – May, 2005
5. Post-monsoon depth to water level map – November, 2005
6. Ground water fluctuation (May-November, 2005)
7. Area recommended for ground water recharge

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Tables
1. Land utilisation for the year 2004-2005
2. Source-wise area irrigated in the district for 2004-2005
3. Annual rainfall data of 66 mandals of the district
4. Mandal wise ground water resources
5. Drinking water facilities
6. Norms for spacing of wells

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 CONTRIBUTORS

GROUND WATER INFORMATION

CHITTOOR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH

Principal Author

G.R.C.Reddy
Scientist-D

Hydrometeorology & Map Generation

P.Sudhakar, Scientist-B
D.V.Anjaneyulu, Asst.Hydrometeorologist
B.Sarath, Draughtsman (Grade-II)

Scrutiny

B.Jaya Kumar, Suptdg.Hydrogeologist

G.Sudarshan, Scientist-D

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 DISTRICT AT A GLANCE

1. GENERAL
Location North Latitude 12° 37' and 14° 00'
East Longitude 78° 03' and 79° 55'
Geographical Area 15152 Sq.Km.
Headquarters Chittoor
No. of revenue mandals 66
No. of revenue villages 1540
Population (2001) Urban 811030 21.65%
Rural 2934845 78.35%
Total 3745875
Population density 247 per Sq.Km.
Work force
Cultivators 528425 14.11%
Agricultural labour 629527 16.81%

Major rivers Pincha, Bahuda,

Swanamukhi, Palar, Ponnai

Soils Red Loamy 57%

Red Sandy 34%
Agroclimatic Zone Southern Zone

2. RAINFALL
Normal annual rainfall Total 934 mm
Southwest monsoon 438 mm 47%
Northeast monsoon 396 mm 42%
Cumulative departure from
normal rainfall for the last 5 years -61%

3. LAND USE (2004-05) (Area in ha.)

Forest 451347 30%
Barren and uncultivated 164220 11%

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 Cultivable waste 43537 3%
Current fallows 114254 8%
Net area sown 403774 27%
4. IRRIGATION (2004-05) (Area in ha.)
Source of irrigation
Canals 45
Tanks 19755
Dug wells 35853
Bore / Tube wells 70857
Others 24
Net area irrigated 126543
Gross area irrigated 163874
Major irrigation projects (completed) Nil
Medium irrigation proejcts (completed) 8 Swarnamukhi, Kalangi,
Mallimadugu, Araniyar,
Krishna Puram, Bahuda,
Pedderu, Siddala Gandi

5. GEOLOGY
Major rock types Granites, Gneisss, Shales,
quartzites, Laterites,
Conglomerates

6. GROUND WATER
Well Census
Dug wells 116,623
Shallow tube / bore wells 19849
Deep tube / bore wells 28933
Exploration by CGWB
No. of wells drilled 112
Major aquifer zones 30 - 100 m.
Aquifer parametres
Transmissivity (sq.m/day) Hard rock 20 - 300
Storage Co-efficient Hard rock 1x 10 -2 to 1x 10 -4
Monitoring
No. of observation wells

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 Dug wells 41
Piezometers Manual 1
Range of water levels (May 2005)
Minimum (m below ground level) 5.2
Maximum ( m bgl) 39.92
General range ( m bgl) 15 to 25

7. GROUND WATER RESOURCES (MCM)

Net annual ground water availability 1450
Net annual draft 1038
Balance resource 412
Stage of ground water development 72%

8. GROUND WATER DEVELOPMENT CATEGORY

No. of mandals categorised as
Safe (<70 % of net available resource) 28
Semi Critical (70 - 90 %) 11
Critical (90 - 100 %) 9
Over exploited (> 100 %) 18
No. of villages notified for restricted development 781 Villages in 63 mandals
(by State Ground Water Authority)

9. CHEMICAL QUALITY
Electrical Conductivity (micro Siemens / cm at 25 deg. C) 640 - 3570
Chloride (mg/l) 43 - 567
Fluoride (mg/l) 0.12 - 1.20
Nitrate (mg/l) 0 - 160

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 GROUND W ATER INFORMATION
CHITTOOR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Chittoor district is one of the chronically drought affected Rayalasema
districts of Andhra Pradesh. It covers a geographical area of 15,152 sq. km and
situated between 12° 37’ and 14°00’ North latitudes and 78°03’ and 79°55’
Eastern longitudes. Administratively the district is divided into 3 Revenue
divisions, which are further sub-divided into 66 Revenue mandals (Fig.1).

Farmers are mostly dependent on ground water for their irrigation

purposes. The district receives moderate rainfall. Failure of monsoons during the
last few years lead to failure of bore wells and failure of crops. That has created
a distress situation in the farming community. Further, absence of credit facilities
at lower interest rates, lack of remunerative prices for their produce,
negligible/absence of a supplementary income to farmers, indiscrete drilling of
additional bore wells and their failure have turned the farmers into debt trap.
Prevailing high interest rates by moneylenders have jeopardized their interests
leading to suicides.

1.1 Land use:

Out of the total geographical area of 14,98,775 ha, the forests cover
4,51,347 ha i.e., 30% of the total area. The barren and uncultivable land covers
1,64,220 ha (11%) whereas the land put to non-agricultural use is 1,42,258 ha
(9%). The current fallows and other fallow lands cover 1,14,254 ha. (8%) and
1,17,707 ha (8%) respectively. The net area sown is 4,03,774 ha i.e., 27% of the
total area. The area sown more than once is 39,229 ha (3%) making the total
cropped area is 4,43,005 ha i.e., 30% of total. The details of land utilization are
given Table-1.

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 TABLE – 1
LAND UTILISATION (Area in Ha.)
Sl.No. Category 2002 – 03 2003 – 04 2004 – 05
1 2 3 4 5
1. Forests 451345 451345 451345
2. Barren and Uncultivable Land 164267 164265 164220
3. Land put to Non-Agricultural Use 142253 142254 142254
4. Cultivable Waste 39529 39512 43537
5. Permanent Pastures and Other Grazing 36527 36527 36502
Lands
6. Land Under Miscellaneous Tree Crops 25197 25173 25165
and Groves not Included in the Net Area
Sown
7. Current Fallows 186969 161759 114254
8. Other Fallow Lands 128447 126276 117707
9. Net Area Sown 324243 351674 403774
10. Total Geographical Area 1498778 1498778 1498778
11. Total Cropped Area 362771 390336 443005
12. Area Sown more than once 38528 36283 39229
Source: Chief Planning Officer, Chittoor

1.2 Drainage:
There are no major rivers in the district. Most of the rivers are ephemeral
in nature carrying large quantities of water immediately after precipitation. The
drainage is generally sub-articulate to sub-parallel following straight courses.
The important drainage basins are Bahuda, Pincha, Swarnamukhi, Palar, Ponnai
and Araniyar. The Bahuda and Pincha are north flowing rivers, Swarnamikhi is
east flowing, Palar is southeast flowing, Ponnai towards south and Araniyar is
southeast flowing.

1.3 Physiography
The district forms a part of the Mysore plateau. The western and
southwestern parts comprising Kuppam, Palamaneru, Punganur , Thamballapalle
and Madanapalle areas have an altitude between 600 m and 900 m amsl. The
central region comprising Bangarupal em, Chittoor, Piler, Vayalpad, Chandragiri
areas have an altitude of 300 m to 600 m amsl. The eastern/southern parts
covering parts of Puttur, Karvetinagar, Satyavedu, Tottambedu and Srikalahasti

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areas have an altitude of less than 300 m amsl. This indicates that the elevation
in the district is highly variable and having steep slopes. Majority of the area is
on water divide as several rivers are flowing away the district.
1.4 Soils
According to the assessment made on the basis of village records, 57% of
the district area is covered by Red loamy soils, 34% by red sandy soils. The
remaining 9% is covered by black clay (3%), black loamy (2%), black sandy (1%)
and red clayey (3%).

1.5 Irrigation
There are no completed major irrigation projects in the district. Only eight
medium irrigation projects are completed with an ayacut of 37,884 acres. There
are 8581 tanks under I&CAD and PR Departments with an ayacut of 2,58,169
acres. Four lift irrigation schemes are functioning with an ayacut of 1387 acres.
During the year 2004-2005, the gross and net area irrigated is 1,63,874 and
1,26,543 hectares, respectively. The source-wise irrigation is given in Table-2.
Ground water irrigates 84% of the total irrigated area, out of which 66
percent is by bore wells/filter point wells and 34 per cent by dug wells.
There are 1.17 lakh open wells and 0.49 lakh bore wells/filter point wells in the
district.
TABLE – 2- NET AREA IRRIGATED SOURCE – WISE ( in Ha.)
Sl. Source Irrigated 2002 – 03 2003 – 04 2004 – 05
No.
1 2 3 4 5
1. Canals 214 677 45
2. Tanks 20332 15314 19755
3. Tube Wells & Filter Points 65532 67318 70857
4. Dug Wells 58378 47828 35853
5. Lift Irrigation 138 139 24
6. Other Sources 66 117 0
7. Net Area Irrigated 144661 131393 126543
8. Area Irrigated more than once 36624 36283 37340
9. Gross Area Irrigation 181285 167676 163874
Source: Chief Planning Officer, Chittoor

Under Jalayagnam, Government of Andhra Pradesh has taken up

irrigation projects on large scale. There are three ongoing major irrigation

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projects in the district with a total ayacut of 2,92,329 acres. There are 439
ongoing irrigation works under I&CAD Department with an ayacut of 29,137
acres.
In addition to the above, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has
contemplated 47 tanks under I&CAD Department with an ayacut of 40,129 acres.
Three lift irrigation schemes are contemplated with an ayacut of 1596 acres in
the district.

1.6 Geology
The district is underlain by rocks of Archaean, Proterozoic, Jurassic –
Cretaceous and Tertiary – Quaternary Ages. The oldest rocks in the area belong
to Migmatite Complex, represented by migmatised quartzo-felspathic gneiss and
are exposed in the northeastern part of the district. Older metamorphics
comprise amphibolites, hornblende-talc-mica-schist, fuchsite quartzite, calc-
sillicate rock, marble and banded ferruginous quartzite. These older
metamorphics occur as enclaves within Peninsular Gneissic Complex (PGC).

The PGC comprises a complex assemblage of gneissic variants and

granitic rocks, which occupy almost major part of the district. PGC in the area is
represented mostly by biottte-homblende gneiss, biotite granite and migmatite.

The Dharwar Supergroup of rocks represented by quartz-mica schist,

amphibolite schist, quartzo-flespathic mica schist (Champion gneiss, metabasalt,
matadacite and banded ferruginous quartzite, belonging to various schist belts
and occur as long linear N-S trending belts and overlie PGC non-conformably.

Acid intrusives of Proterozoic Age comprises granite and quartz veins.

The granite plutons are exposed as patches and linear bodies in southwestern
and northwestern parts of the district respectively. The basic dykes include
dolerites. Three sets of dolerite dykes trends E-W, N-S, and NW-SE, traverse

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the PGC. The E-W trending dykes from swarms in the south central part of the
distance.

The southern tip of the well-known Cuddapah Basin falls in the

northeastern part of the district. Shale and quartzite of Bairenkonda Formation,
shales/phyllite and limestone of Cumbum Formation are exposed in the district.

The rocks of Gondwana Supergroup occur non-conformably over the PGC

in southeastern part of the district, represented by Satyavedu Formation (Under
Gondwana) and comprise motled, ferruginous quartzite and conglomerate with
plant fossils. Laterite cappings occur over Gondwana formations.

Large tracts of Alluvium occur along the major streams, which belong to
Recent Age.

1.7 Previous works by CGWB

Central Ground Water Board has completed systematic hydrogeoogical
surveys by 1990. First generation reappraisal surveys were completed during the
period 1991-92 and second generation was done during 1999-2001. Ground
water exploration was taken up in two spells from the year 1974-1977 and 1991-
1997 and drilled 112 bore wells in the district. Ground water regime is being
monitored on regular basis since 1969 through a network of monitoring wells in
the districts.

2.0 RAINFALL
The annual rainfall of the district is 943 mm, which ranges from 600 mm at
Molakacheruvu mandal to 1280 mm at Sri Kalahastri mandal. The annual rainfall
data of 66 mandals for the period 2000-2005, along with departure from normal is
given in Table-3.

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 TABLE 3.
MANDAL-WISE ANNUAL RAINFALL DATA AND ITS DEPARTURE
FROM NORMAL, CHITTOOR DISTRICT

Rainfall(mm) Departure from normal

CUMMU-
NAME OF THE MANDAL NOR- 2000- 2001- 2002- 2003- 2004- 2000- 2001- 2002- 2003- 2004- LATIVE REMARK
DEPAR -
MAL 01 02 03 04 05 01 02 03 04 05 TURE

1.CHITTOOR 1048 892 877 514 1159 706 -15% -16% -51% 11% -33% -104%Scanty
2.GUDIPALA 951 904 768 661 1220 630 -5% -19% -30% 28% -34% -60%Scanty
3.YADAMARI 880 948 626 454 584 567 8% -29% -48% -34% -36% -139%Scanty
4.G.D.NELLORE 909 835 991 753 1263 715 -8% 9% -17% 39% -21% 1%Normal
5.PENUMURU 843 1346 786 609 1161 633 60% -7% -28% 38% -25% 38%Excess
6.PUTHALAPATTU 909 1142 963 599 1732 723 26% 6% -34% 90% -20% 67%Surplus
7.BANGARUPALEM 988 1085 972 351 984 603 10% -2% -65% 0% -39% -96%Scanty
8.THAVANAMPALLE 886 856 805 524 1043 721 -3% -9% -41% 18% -19% -54%Deficit
9.IRALA 863 839 949 431 1268 853 -3% 10% -50% 47% -1% 3%Normal
10.PUTTUR 1166 882 1183 787 1058 608 -24% 1% -32% -9% -48% -113%Scanty
11.NARAYANAVANAM 1083 809 1230 820 1092 647 -25% 14% -24% 1% -40% -75%Scanty
12.KARVETINAGAR 1071 785 862 561 1156 715 -27% -20% -48% 8% -33% -119%Scanty
13.VEDURUKUPPAM 958 861 710 452 915 571 -10% -26% -53% -4% -40% -134%Scanty
14.R.C.PURAM 1050 981 1053 819 1053 723 -7% 0% -22% 0% -31% -59%Scanty
15.VADAMALAPETA 1186 985 1131 881 968 702 -17% -5% -26% -18% -41% -107%Scanty
16.PALASAMUDRAM 1041 1118 1088 837 1086 810 7% 5% -20% 4% -22% -26%Deficit
17.S.R.PURAM 1063 1324 927 583 1074 581 25% -13% -45% 1% -45% -78%Scanty
18.NAGARI 1105 884 939 756 977 821 -20% -15% -32% -12% -26% -104%Scanty
19.NINDRA 1092 985 1122 802 991 870 -10% 3% -27% -9% -20% -63%Scanty
20.VIJAYAPURAM 1074 1048 756 689 998 630 -2% -30% -36% -7% -41% -116%Scanty
21.TIRUPATI(U) 1088 773 990 1042 1228 831 -29% -9% -4% 13% -24% -53%Deficit
22.TIRUPATI(R) 979 780 720 964 1063 671 -20% -26% -2% 9% -31% -71%Scanty
23.CHANDRAGIRI 1020 898 830 620 991 717 -12% -19% -39% -3% -30% -102%Scanty
24.PAKALA 1006 913 911 479 1133 601 -9% -9% -52% 13% -40% -99%Scanty
25.PULICHERLA 920 740 910 547 886 606 -20% -1% -41% -4% -34% -99%Scanty
26.RENIGUNTA 1109 780 1091 1135 1235 1159 -30% -2% 2% 11% 5% -13%Normal
27.YERPEDU 1276 1098 1015 990 1184 841 -14% -20% -22% -7% -34% -98%Scanty
28.SRIKALAHASTHI 1280 1032 1330 937 1055 939 -19% 4% -27% -18% -27% -87%Scanty
29.THOTTAMBEDU 1260 1108 1412 911 1153 970 -12% 12% -28% -9% -23% -59%Scanty
30.KOVANURU 1097 944 1076 819 837 785 -14% -2% -25% -24% -28% -93%Scanty
31.B.N.KANDRIGA 1259 869 1482 862 1009 803 -31% 18% -32% -20% -36% -101%Scanty
32.VARADAIAHPALE 1149 966 1345 981 939 1181 -16% 17% -15% -18% 3% -29%Deficit

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33.SATHYAVEDU 1295 939 1715 1197 1013 1099 -28% 32% -8% -22% -15% -40%Deficit
34.NAGALAPURAM 1171 914 1059 655 671 578 -22% -10% -44% -43% -51% -169%Scanty
35.PICHATUR 1015 947 1123 940 1182 872 -7% 11% -7% 16% -14% -1%Normal
36.MADANAPALLE 848 1031 1106 708 637 626 22% 30% -17% -25% -26% -16%Normal
37.NIMMANAPALLE 819 611 908 449 750 483 -25% 11% -45% -8% -41% -109%Scanty
38.B.KOTHAKOTA 613 559 556 331 614 387 -9% -9% -46% 0% -37% -101%Scanty
39.KURABALAKOTA 840 673 903 448 644 576 -20% 7% -47% -23% -31% -114%Scanty
40.THAMBALLAPALLE 801 882 925 553 785 541 10% 15% -31% -2% -32% -40%Deficit
41.PEDDAMANDYAM 636 564 946 413 779 451 -11% 49% -35% 23% -29% -4%Normal
42.MOLAKALACHERUVU 600 668 687 358 876 376 11% 15% -40% 46% -37% -6%Normal
43.P.T.M. 736 630 605 459 600 340 -14% -18% -38% -19% -54% -142%Scanty
44.VOYALPADU 865 550 930 455 638 441 -36% 8% -47% -26% -49% -152%Scanty
45.GURRAMKONDA 822 683 873 369 686 520 -17% 6% -55% -17% -37% -119%Scanty
46.KALIKIRI 774 708 856 369 929 583 -9% 11% -52% 20% -25% -55%Deficit
47.KALAKADA 728 584 713 239 707 396 -20% -2% -67% -3% -46% -137%Scanty
48.K.V.PALLI 697 707 1015 453 1013 640 1% 46% -35% 45% -8% 49%Excess
49.PILERU 760 762 849 524 1037 802 0% 12% -31% 36% 5% 23%Excess
50.ROMPICHERLA 829 652 656 404 767 593 -21% -21% -51% -8% -28% -130%Scanty
51.C.G.GALLU 770 824 763 365 1065 657 7% -1% -53% 38% -15% -23%Deficit
52.Y.V.PALEM 751 867 857 513 1077 563 15% 14% -32% 43% -25% 16%Normal
53.PUNGANUR 858 686 900 574 811 561 -20% 5% -33% -6% -35% -88%Scanty
54.RAMASAMUDRAM 737 752 777 326 718 625 2% 5% -56% -3% -15% -66%Scanty
55.CHOWDEPALLE 869 758 945 611 1010 567 -13% 9% -30% 16% -35% -52%Deficit
56.PEDDAPANJANI 736 712 637 409 786 486 -3% -13% -44% 7% -34% -88%Scanty
57.SOMALA 903 989 1064 586 1065 686 10% 18% -35% 18% -24% -14%Normal
58.SODAM 884 905 926 490 981 576 2% 5% -45% 11% -35% -61%Scanty
59.PALAMANER 816 1187 803 629 1066 754 45% -2% -23% 31% -8% 44%Excess
60.GANGAVARAM 863 1031 806 539 1062 768 19% -7% -38% 23% -11% -13%Normal
61.BAIREDDIPALLE 890 947 908 633 961 668 6% 2% -29% 8% -25% -37%Deficit
62.V.KOTA 820 804 1139 529 878 924 -2% 39% -36% 7% 13% 21%Excess
63.RAMAKUPPAM 774 976 1295 558 962 580 26% 67% -28% 24% -25% 65%Surplus
64.SANTHIPURAM 813 746 1232 629 1031 580 -8% 51% -23% 27% -29% 19%Normal
65.KUPPAM 866 691 1216 631 1021 624 -20% 40% -27% 18% -28% -17%Normal
66.GUDUPALLE 856 784 1177 451 842 639 -8% 38% -47% -2% -25% -45%Deficit
AVERAGE : 934 866 965 621 972 674 -7% 3% -34% 4% -28% -61%Scanty
Source: Department of Economics and Statistics, Andhra Pradesh

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 The district’s mean rainfall distribution and its departure from normal for the
period 1995-2005 was depicted in Fig.2. The figures indicate that the mean rainfall
ranges from 621 mm in 2002-03, which is 34% less than normal to 1468 mm in
1996-97, with 57% above normal. The district had below normal rainfall in 5 out of
10 years during the period 1995-2005, viz., 1995-96, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2002-03
and 2004-05.

The cumulative departure of annual rainfall from normal indicates the extent
of drought at a place. In the district level, the cumulative departure of annual rainfall
was scanty i.e., more than 60% below normal, in 35 mandals and deficit i.e., below
normal by 20% and 59% in 11 mandals. In the remaining 20 mandals the rainfall
was above normal. On an average, the district rainfall condition was deficient by
61% from normal.

3.0 GROUND WATER SCENARIO

3.1 Hydrogeology
More than 90% of the district is underlain by hard rocks and the remaining
area by semi-consolidated rocks. Hydrogeological conditions of the district are
presented in fig.3. In hard rocks, the degree and depth of weathering varies from
place to place and hence the potentiality of shallow aquifers also varies from place
to place. Ground water occurs under unconfined conditions in weathered portion
and semi-confined to confined condition occurs in fractures, joints at deeper depths.

Ground water in weathered formation is developed by dug wells. For

irrigation purposes, the dug wells are circular or rectangular in shape with 30 to 60
sq.m. The domestic wells are mostly circular in shape and smaller in size. The
depth of the wells is upto 10 m. The average discharge of energized wells ranges
from 18 to 30 cu.m/day. However, during monsoon period, the discharge varies
from 80 to 200 cu.m/day and during summer months, 10 to 50 cu.m/day.

10
Fig 2.

11
To increase the yield of the dug wells inclined/horizontal bores of 25 mm dia were
drilled to a length of around 10m.

The deeper aquifers are developed through construction of shallow/deep bore

wells. The bore wells are drilled down to 100 m now-a-days with 162 m dia in the
district. However, the encountering of fractures beyond 70 m is very less and at few
places, the potential aquifers were encountered beyond 130 at Mogili and
Malreddikandriga. This was noticed under the exploration programme by CGWB.
The bore well yields generally vary from 0.1 to 5.0 lps.

The Nagari Quartzites are mostly confined to uplands and hilly areas, which
are covered by forest. These formations are massive and compact and possess
meagre ground water potential. The ground water development is very less and
there is not much habitation in these formations.

The alluvium is confined to mostly riverbanks and stream courses with

varying width and depth. Ground water development in this formation is mostly by
filter points and dug wells. The well yields vary from 3 to 10 lps. with draw down of
2 to 6 m. They can sustain pumping for 6 to 8 hours/day with fast recovery of water
levels.

The Hydrogeology of Chittoor district is shown in Fig.3.

3.2 Aquifer parameters

In hard rocks, the specific capacity of the bore wells is in the range of 0.13 to
11.38 cu.m/hr/m draw down. The transmissivity is in the range of 30 to 150 sq.m/d
with a maximum value of 824 sq.m/day.
The specific capacity of wells in alluvium varies from 0.14 to 1.0 lpm/mdd.

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13
3.3 Water levels
Based on the data observed from monitoring wells of CGWB and 59
piezometers of APSGWD, depth to water levels of Chittoor district are analysed and
discussed below.

a) Pre-monsoon (May, 2005)

Depth to water levels during the pre-monsoon season is presented in Fig.4.

Areas with water levels from 5 to 10 mbgl

Areas around Tavanampalle, Palamaner, V. Kota, Erpedu, Satyavedu,
Nagalapuram having depth to water levels between 5 and 10 m bgl.

Areas with water levels more than 10 m bgl

Areas around Karvetinagar, Palasamudram, Peddamandyam,,
Mulakalacheruvu, Royalpeta, Piler, Penumuru, Somala, Nedurukuppam, Yadamarri,
Guramkonda, Sadum, Pichatur, Papanayud upet, Chandragiri, B.N. Kandriga areas
having depth to water levels between 10 and 20 m bgl.

Areas around Kalakada, Kalikiri, Putturu, Damalacheruvu, B. Kothakota,

Baireddipalle, Garnimitta, CG Gallu, Kuppam, Madanapall e, Nimmanapalle, Tirupati,
Pulicherla, Vayalpad, Santhipuram, Irala having depth to water levels between 20
and 30 m bgl.

Areas around Chittoor, Bangarupalem, Gudipalle, Putlapathu, S.R. Puram,

Gudipala, Kandukuru, Kurabalakota, Tamballapalle, Punganuru having depth to
water levels of more than 30 m.
Post monsoon (November, 2005)
Most of the area in the district has water levels below 10 m bgl. However,
water levels between 10 m and 20 m were observed around Pulicherla, Santipuram,
Nimmanapalle, Nerabailu, Gudipala areas.

14
15
 Depth to water levels between 20 m and 30 m was observed at Tirupati,
Punganur u, G.D. Nellore, Madanapalle, Kurabalakota, Baireddipalle areas.

Water levels of more than 30 m bgl were observed at S.R. puram and Chitoor
areas.

The depth to water level observed during November, 2005 is given in Fig.5.

Fluctuation of water table (May, 05 vs. November, 05)

The average depth to water level in the district during the month of May, 2005
and November, 2005 is 19.85 m bgl. and 9.62 m bgl respectively, indicating a rise of
10.23 m. This is due to 41% more rainfall in the district. (Fig.6)

Long Term Water level Trends

The trend of ground water levels for the last 10 years indicates that generally
water levels are declining gradually during pre monsoon and post monsoon periods.

Decline of ground water levels during pre-monsoon period ranged from 0.08
to 0.80 m/yr in 28 stations out of 38 stations with general declining trend of 0.10 to
0.40 m/yr. The rise of water levels is found to be ranging between 0.01 to 0.10 m/yr.

During post monsoon period also, the water levels are found to be declining in
35 stations out of 41 stations. The declining water level ranged from a minimum of
0.03 to 1.80 m/year with general range of 0.10 m to 0.70 m/yr. The rise of water
levels is found to be 0.01 to 0.10 m/year.

16
17
18
3.4 GROUND WATER RESOURC ES
Based on the Ground Water Estimation Committee (GEC-97)
recommendations, ground water assessment was done in 2004. The mandal-wise
details are present in Table-4. The net ground water availability in the district is
1450.10 MCM. Ground water utilization is 1038.25 MCM and the ground water
balance for future irrigation development is 411.85 MCM. The stage of ground water
development arrived at 72% and hence the district falls under semi-critical category.

Based on the stage of development, 28 mandals are categorized as safe, 11

as semi-critical, 9 as critical and 18 as over-exploited. The minimum stage of ground
water development is in B.N. Kandriga (20%) and the highest development is in
Tirupati (Rural) (198%).

3.5. GROUND WATER QUALITY

The ground water in the district is in general suitable for both domestic and
irrigation purposes. The EC ranges from 640 to 3570 ms/cm at 25°C. All the
habitations in the district are having adequate drinking water facilities. There are
villages with neither Fluoride nor brackish water problem in the district.

3.6. STATUS OF GROUND WATER DEVELOPMENT

Ground water is the principal source for drinking and irrigation purposes.
Ground water development in the district was mostly through construction of dug
wells initially. As there is more stress on ground water, the water levels were
lowered over a period of time. The dug wells are slowly replaced by shallow bore
wells and more recently by deep bore wells. Alluvial aquifers along the river courses
are developed through filter point wells down to 10 to 20 m depth. The shallow and
deep bore wells are tapping the deep fractured aquifers in the district.
The district is absolutely dependant on ground water for its irrigation and
domestic needs. Out of the total irrigated land, 84.34% area is irrigated through
1,16,623 dug wells, 19,849 shallow bore wells and 28,933 deep bore wells. For
irrigation purpose, there are 12,618 diesel engines and 99,402 electric pumps in the

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 Table 4.

MANDAL WISE GROUND WATER RESOURCE 2004

CHITTOOR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH

Groundwater Groundwater Groundwater Stage of

Sl.No MANDAL Availability utilisation balance development Category
ha.m ha.m ha.m %

NC NC NC
6 = { ( 4/3) *
1 2 3 4 5 = ( 3-4 ) 7
100)}
1 B.Kothakota 1729 1107 622 64 Safe
2 B.N.Kandriga 2473 486 1987 20 Safe
3 Baireddypalli 1452 1538 -86 106 Over-Exploited
4 Bangarupalem 3643 2314 1329 64 Safe
5 C.G.Gallu 1844 1041 804 56 Safe
6 Chandragiri 4083 1908 2175 47 Safe
7 Chittoor 2178 2637 -459 121 Over-Exploited
8 Chowdepalli 2106 1940 166 92 Critical
9 G.D.Nellore 2208 2062 146 93 Critical
10 Gangavaram 1835 1908 -73 104 Over-Exploited
11 Gudipala 2101 1767 334 84 Semi-Critical
12 Gudupalli 1527 838 689 55 Safe
13 Gurramkonda 2069 1467 602 71 Semi-Critical
14 Irala 2604 2465 139 95 Critical
15 K.V.B.Puram 3597 1372 2225 38 Safe
16 K.V.Palli 2215 1345 870 61 Safe
17 Kalakada 1698 1127 570 66 Safe
18 Kalikiri 1815 851 964 47 Safe
19 Karvetinagar 2221 2273 -53 102 Over-Exploited
20 Kuppam 4095 2220 1875 54 Safe
21 Kurabalakota 1643 971 673 59 Safe
22 Madanapalli 2428 1828 600 75 Semi-Critical
23 Molakalacheruvu 1857 543 1314 29 Safe
24 Nagalapuram 2141 1159 983 54 Safe
25 Nagari 1728 2367 -639 137 Over-Exploited
26 Narayanavanam 1201 1080 121 90 Semi-Critical
27 Nimmanapalli 1518 1001 517 66 Safe
28 Nindra 1080 1182 -102 109 Over-Exploited
29 Pakala 1506 1687 -181 112 Over-Exploited
30 Palamaner 1872 1450 422 77 Semi-Critical
31 Palasamudram 980 1210 -230 123 Over-Exploited
32 Pedda Thippa Samudram 9549 1904 7645 20 Safe
33 Peddamandyam 2175 1019 1156 47 Safe
34 Peddapanjani 2280 1845 435 81 Semi-Critical
35 Penumuru 1366 1620 -254 119 Over-Exploited

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36 Piler 1799 1285 514 71 Semi-Critical
37 Pitchatur 1873 1606 266 86 Semi-Critical
38 Pulicherla 1857 1700 157 92 Critical
39 Punganur 2605 2073 532 80 Semi-Critical
40 Puthalapattu 1914 2031 -118 106 Over-Exploited
41 Puttur 1843 1823 20 99 Critical
42 R.C.Puram 1250 1932 -681 154 Over-Exploited
43 Ramakuppam 1971 1784 186 91 Critical
44 Ramasamudram 1184 1510 -326 127 Over-Exploited
45 Renigunta 2254 1152 1103 51 Safe
46 Rompicherla 3607 1442 2165 40 Safe
47 S.R.Puram 1324 1665 -341 126 Over-Exploited
48 Santhipuram 1747 1330 417 76 Semi-Critical
49 Satyavedu 2774 1410 1364 51 Safe
50 Sodam 2445 3124 -679 128 Over-Exploited
51 Somala 3053 1529 1524 50 Safe
52 Sri Kalahasti 1797 1504 293 84 Semi-Critical
53 Tavanampalli 1659 2132 -473 128 Over-Exploited
54 Thamballapalli 3268 1026 2242 31 Safe
55 Thottambedu 2233 1348 885 60 Safe
56 Tirupathi(U) 1604 356 1247 22 Safe
57 Tirupathi® 1032 2048 -1016 198 Over-Exploited
58 V.Kota 1933 1748 184 90 Critical
59 Vadamalapeta 1834 1214 619 66 Safe
60 Varadaiahpalem 2429 998 1431 41 Safe
61 Vedurukuppam 2562 3112 -550 121 Over-Exploited
62 Vijayapuram 1043 1308 -265 125 Over-Exploited
63 Voyalpad 2226 1221 1005 55 Safe
64 Y.V.Palem 2281 881 1400 39 Safe
65 Yadamarri 1422 1365 57 96 Critical
66 Yerpedu 3370 2639 731 78 Semi-Critical
Total 145011 103826 41185 72 Semi-Critical

21
 district. Drinking and domestic requirements of 10804 habitations are met
through 6229 PWS & MPWS schemes and 20,368 bore wells. The details of
drinking water facilities are presented in Table-5.

TABLE 5: MANDAL-WISE DRINKING WATER FACILITIES (2004 – 2005)

Villages having adequate Drinking Water Facility
No. of (No.)
Sl.No. Mandal Name
Habs P.W.S. & Bore Open
Others
MPWS Wells Wells
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1 Chittoor 186 115 286 0 0
2 Gudipala 170 125 327 0 0
3 Yadamari 173 113 309 0 0
4 Gangadhara Nellore 303 171 484 0 0
5 Penumuru 230 125 328 0 0
6 Puthalapattu 251 157 358 0 0
7 Bangarupalem 188 155 362 0 0
8 Thavanampalle 193 118 308 0 0
9 Irala 231 178 395 0 0
10 Puttur 125 81 358 0 0
11 Narayanavanam 75 32 196 0 0
12 Karvetinagar 176 101 375 0 0
13 Veduru Kuppam 225 104 448 0 0
14 Ramachandrapuram 160 83 265 0 0
15 Vadamalapeta 125 76 273 0 0
16 Palasamudram 129 70 214 0 0
17 Srirangarajapuram 161 109 308 0 0
18 Nagari 145 77 391 0 0
19 Nindra 110 46 239 0 0
20 Vijaya Puram 113 48 237 0 0
21 Tirupati Urban 49 52 229 0 0
22 Tirupati Rural 272 142 528 0 0
23 Chandragiri 172 94 297 0 0
24 Pakala 225 126 366 0 0
25 Pulicherla 175 104 295 0 0
26 Renigunta 132 93 292 0 0
27 Yerpedu 114 80 404 0 0
28 Srikalahasti 115 93 410 0 0
29 Thottambedu 137 115 316 0 0
30 K V B Puram 96 71 284 0 0
31 Buchinaidu Khandriga 108 48 262 0 0
32 Varadaiahpalem 92 57 293 0 0
33 Satyavedu 73 49 153 0 0

22
 34 Nagalapuram 88 37 162 0 0
35 Pichatur 125 56 236 0 0
36 Madanapalle 343 89 428 0 0
37 Nimmanapalle 158 55 267 0 0
38 B.Kothakota 175 91 316 0 0
39 Kurabalakota 205 65 313 0 0
40 Thamballapalle 246 79 382 0 0
41 Peddamandyam 152 64 356 0 0
42 Molakalacheruvu 203 111 348 0 0
43 P.T.M. 132 72 298 0 0
44 Valmikipuram 121 82 309 0 0
45 Gurramkonda 163 107 305 0 0
46 Kalikiri 191 126 336 0 0
47 Kalakada 157 61 297 0 0
48 Kambhamvaripalle 330 41 472 0 0
49 Pileru 230 93 363 0 0
50 Rompicherla 181 67 239 0 0
51 Chinnagottigallu 183 61 254 0 0
52 Yerravaripalem 223 83 342 0 0
53 Punganur 163 116 291 0 0
54 Ramasamudram 148 103 213 0 0
55 Chowdepalle 145 104 252 0 0
56 Peddapanjani 152 100 313 0 0
57 Somala 180 131 282 0 0
58 Sodam 145 98 258 0 0
59 Palamaner 96 97 293 0 0
60 Gangavaram 119 103 236 0 0
61 Rama Kuppam 120 103 249 0 0
62 Santhi Puram 142 137 232 0 0
63 Kuppam 232 216 456 0 0
64 Gudi Palle 102 91 169 0 0
65 Baireddi Palle 105 88 224 0 0
66 Venkatagiri Kota 120 134 287 0 0
Total: 10804 6269 20368 0 0
Source: Office of SE (RWS), Chittoor

23
 The dug wells are mostly circular or rectangular in shape with around 6 m in
diameter and down to 15 m depth. Most of the dug wells are likely to dry up in the
summer. During the rainy season, these dug wells are with 2 to 5 m water column
and sustain pumping for 2 to 5 hrs./day in two spells. The yields of wells vary from
30 to 100 cu.m/day during post-monsoon period.

The bore wells with a diameter of 162 mm are tapping the fractured aquifers
and occasionally down to 200 m bgl in the district. The discharges of the bore wells
ranges from 1 to 15 cu.m/hr with a draw down of 10 to 20 m and are running for
around 7 hrs. per day.

The overall stage of ground water development of the district is 72% and
categorized as semi-critical. Out of the total 66 mandals, only 28 mandals are under
safe category and 11 mandals are categorized as semi-critical category. There are
as many as 781 villages declared as over-exploited villages out of 1540 revenue
villages.

4.0 GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

As such, there are no existing major irrigation projects in the district. Though
there are some ongoing irrigation projects, no irrigation through surface water except
tank irrigation is being practiced. Only, 15% of area is irrigated through surface
water under tanks. About, 84% of the irrigated area is through ground water, out of
which 66% is by bore wells. This indicates the dependence of farmers on ground
water for their livelihood. This has lead to the depletion of ground water levels. It is
imperative that an effective ground water management strategy shall be evolved in
such a way that there is an optimal utilization of ground water on the basis of ‘more
crop per drop of water’.

4.1. Ground water development

Ground water development can be taken up only in safe mandals after
following the well space norms, which are given in Table-6.

24
 Table-6: Norms for spacing of wells
Situation Spacing between two wells (m)
Dug wells Filter point wells Bore wells
Non-ayacut area 160 260 200-500
Ayacut area 100 160 200-300
Near perennial source within 200 m 100 160 200-300
Near perennial steams within 100 m 150 180 300-500

The ground water development in the safe mandals should be developed

through bore wells of 70 to 100 m depth. The occurrence of potential fractures
beyond this depth is rare and its success rate is one in ten or fifteen. Sites for bore
wells should be selected scientifically by conducting hydrogeological and
geophysical studies to avoid the failures.

Where the depth of weathering is beyond 10m, dug wells/dug-cum-bore wells

are recommended to a depth ranging from 10 to 15m. The unit cost of these bore
wells as per the NABARD norms are given in Table-7.
Table: 7 Unit cost of different type of wells
Sl. Geological Type of Dimensions Stain- Dimensions of Unit
No. formation MI ing bore well Cost
Structur Dia Depth Depth Dia (m) Depth (Rs.)
e (m) (m) (m) (m)
1. Granite (a) DW 6 10 4 - - 25000
Related (b) DW 6 12 4 - - 32500
Rocks (c) DW 5 14 4 - - 34400
(d) DW 5 16 4 - - 44500
(e) DCB 6 10 4 100 30 31000
(f) DCB 4 14 4 100 30 39400
2. (i)Bore well BW - - - 150 40 12500
in Hard
Rocks
(ii)–do– BW - - - 150–160 60 16000
(iii)–do– BW - - - 150–160 80 20600

25
 3. In well - - - 100 30 5000
bores in all
IWB
geological
formation
4. Alluvium FP - - - 100 15 4500
5. Develop- (Deepening 2 m from 10 to 12 m) 5000
ment of old
well
Source: NABARD

Care should be taken in semi-critical mandals while selecting the sites for the
dug wells/bore wells, where the stage of ground water development is between 70
and 90%.

Further ground water development should be stopped in over-exploited

mandals through administrative and legal measures where provision already exists
in WALTA Act. Areas should be prioritized for rainwater harvesting and artificial
recharge in critical and over exploited mandals as an immediate measure on
scientific lines.

There are three major ongoing irrigation projects in the district. They are I)
Telugu Ganga Project 2) Galeru-Nagari Sujala Sravanthi Project and 3) Handri-
Neeva Sujala Sravanti Scheme with a total ayacut of 2,92,329 acres. The mandals
covered are Renigunta, Yerpedu, Srikalahasthi, K.V.B. Puram, Pichatoor, Nindra,
Mulakalacheruvu, Madanapalli, Punganur, Palamaner, Kuppam, etc. Hence, the
proposed ayacut under these irrigation projects are likely to get water in future. This
will increase the ground water recharge. Hence, there will be much scope for further
ground water development in these proposed ayacut area in future.

4.2. Water conservation and artificial recharge

Under Neeru-Meeru (Water and You) programme, rainwater conservation and
artificial recharge to ground water works have been taken up on large scale in the
district under DPAP, EAS, NWDP and other programmes. Various structures like

26
check dams, percolation tanks, continuous contour trenches, contour bunding, dug
out ponds, farm ponds, and other structures were constructed by various
Departments like District Water Management Agency (DWMA), Forest Department
and Panchayati Raj Departments. The total storage created is 1856 lakh cu.m.

The district is drained by large number of rivers and the elevation difference
between maximum and minimum is around 800 m and the area is with steep slopes.
Hence, artificial recharge structures should be taken up at appropriate places after
studying the availability of surface run-off in the area. All the works should be taken
up on watershed basis and all stakeholders be involved in the programme. Each
watershed should be developed by gully plugs and check dams in upper reaches
and percolation tanks and contour bunds etc. in the plains. However, all structures
should be constructed for 50% of available run off potential, leaving the requirement
of existing structures in a watershed.

The status of ground water development, number of suicidal deaths and area
recommended for artificial recharge is shown in Fig. 7.

27
28
5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Failure of the monsoon leads to less recharge to ground water and more draft
from ground water reservoir. As a result, water levels are declined, which
lead to drying up of dug wells in many of the mandals and also in reduction of
yields of bore wells. This necessitates construction of additional bore wells to
provide water to the standing crop. More often, the new bore wells are likely
to be a failure because of absence/de-saturation aquifers. This increases the
loan burden to the farmers. This can be addressed by strict implementation of
APWALTA Act.

2. The distress deaths by farmers are spread throughout the district, irrespective
of stage of ground water development. The reasons for suicide of farmers are
many. Among them, the failure of monsoon that lead to failure of crop,
inadequate irrigation facilities, absence of crop insurance, high input costs of
seeds, fertilizers, low return on farm produce immediately after harvest,
absence of storage facilities, lack of supplementary income from other
sources viz., dairy and poultry, inadequate institutional finance at lower
interest rates, high interest rates of money lenders etc.

3. At present, there are no major irrigation projects in the district. However,

there are three ongoing major irrigation projects viz., Teluguganga Project,
Galeru-Nagari Sujala Sravanthi Project and Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi
Project with an ayacut of 2,92,329 acres. These projects should be given
priority and should be completed on time so that irrigation facilities will be
available to the farmers. Similarly, all the ongoing minor irrigation works
should be completed in time.

4. The Government has contemplated 47 tanks with an ayacut of 40,129 acres.

These tanks should be taken up after completion of the ongoing projects.

29
5. In the over exploited areas, large-scale artificial recharge to ground water has
to be taken up at appropriate places on scientific lines, involving all
stakeholders. Maintenance of these structures should be made mandatory by
providing budget.

6. In safe mandals, bore wells are to be constructed observing the spacing

norms upto a depth of 70-80 m based on the scientific selection of sites.

7. ‘More crop per drop’ methods i.e., sprinkler and drip irrigation methods should
be encouraged by giving higher subsidy to the farmers so that ground water
for existing bore wells can be utilized to its optimum level.

8. Cultivation of water intensive crops like paddy, sugar cane, betel leaves etc.
should be discouraged under ground water irrigation.

9. Storage facilities for the farm produce may be provided in cooperative sector
to store the farm produce.

10. Adequate low interest institutional finance may be provided to the farmers.

11. Steps may be taken up for formation of bore well Insurance Corporation of
India by Govt. of India in cooperation with State Governments. This facilitates
reimbursement of drilling costs to the farmer, if the bore well is a failure.

12. Literature on crops eg. Vyavasaya Panchangam prepared by NG Ranga

Agricultural University may be supplied to all the habitations at free of cost. It
will increase the awareness of the farmers regarding various crops.

13. Mass awareness programmes should be conducted in rural areas to educate

the farmers regarding the ground water management to update their
knowledge. Training for local government functionaries, NGOs, Voluntary

30
 Organizations in watershed management activities needs to be imparted on
the scientific techniques in selection of site, design of structure, etc. for
construction of artificial recharge structure.

Acknowledgements: The data provided by the State Ground Water Department,

Panchayat Raj Department, Agriculture Department, Irrigation Department, District

Water Management Agency and Directorate of Economics & Stastistics, Govt.of

Andhra Pradesh, for preparation of the report, is gratefully acknowledged.

31