Pune’s Water Security at Risk as Groundwater Levels Fall Below Five-Year Average
Pune, 9th October 2026: Groundwater levels across Pune district have fallen below the five-year average, with Haveli taluka recording a decline of 1.18 metres, according to a survey conducted by the Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency at the end of September.
The average groundwater depth in Haveli over the past five years was 2.87 metres, but it reached 4.05 metres in September. In Mulshi, the average depth of 1.05 metres increased to 1.67 metres, marking a decline of 0.63 metres. Maval recorded a smaller fall of 0.13 metres, with groundwater depth increasing from an average of 0.40 metres to 0.53 metres.
The falling levels have raised concerns over Pune’s long-term water security amid deficient rainfall, water cuts, increasing concretisation and excessive groundwater extraction. The impact is significant for areas surrounding the city, where residents and housing societies continue to depend on borewells and other groundwater sources due to gaps in piped water supply.
The agency conducts groundwater surveys four times a year, with post-monsoon assessments considered particularly important because rainfall plays a key role in replenishing underground reserves.
Rapid urbanisation and the expansion of concrete surfaces can reduce the amount of rainwater that seeps into the ground, weakening natural groundwater recharge. Increased extraction through borewells could further intensify the pressure on reserves.
The findings underline the need for long-term water management measures, including improving rainwater infiltration, installing effective groundwater recharge systems in new buildings, monitoring borewell use and regularly assessing local water resources. Given Pune’s geographical continuity with surrounding talukas, groundwater management in the city and adjoining rural areas needs to be addressed as a connected challenge rather than in isolation.
