Aquifer Characteristics of the Intake Wells on Damodar River near Raniganj, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Since the British period the Damodar River has been the main source of water supply in Raniganj, Asansol and Durgapur area of West Bengal State in India. Afterwards since nineties, the drinking water demand was increasing rapidly with the population rise. There has been a considerable scarcity in water supply especially in summer months. Recently, to augment the water supply situation, considering future demand and population rise, a hydro-geological study has been carried out during dry period at different locations on the river bed. The observation were undertaken in and around the existing pumping area on Damodar river located in the southern part of Raniganj. This research is aimed at assessing the yield test at exploratory bored wells to find out the minimum quantity of water available to design radial collector wells at three different locations with respect to their drawdown, transmissibility and storativity. Secondly, a field method for the mechanical analysis of bore well log material of the study area was attained to determine the material size and the required artificial gravel packing. On the basis of the field study and investigations, data collection, collasion and analysis, this paper has been prepared highlighting the characteristics of the aquifer, the location of the intake wells and yield of the bed.