Electrical resistivity tomography for groundwater exploration in a granitic terrain in NGRI campus

Abstract

Rapid growth of residential colonies around the campus of the CSIR-National Geophysical research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad during the last two decades has resulted in either disappearance or drastic reduction in size of open space and ponds for groundwater recharging. Withdrawal of groundwater for domestic uses has increased several fold causing continuous lowering of the water table in and around the campus. Due to this changed scenario, availability of groundwater to meet the requirement of CSIR-NGRI is drastically reduced. This communication presents the results of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) carried out in the CSIR-NGRI premises to locate potential groundwater resources as well as choose suitable sites for artificial recharging of aquifer. Groundwater potential zone identified by ERT is verified at one site by drilling a bore well.