Recharge Structures Research Articles

Effectiveness of artificial recharge structures in enhancing groundwater quality

Artificial recharge is a technique used to recharge the groundwater resources which exploited by pumping for irrigation and drinking purpose. An artificial recharge structures are practiced in the hard rock regions of Tamil Nadu for groundwater restoration and also to enhance the groundwater quality. In the present study, an existing recharge structures in Thondamuthur block of was selected to assess the impact of artificial recharge structures in enhancing the groundwater quality. The considerable improvement in groundwater quality was observed due to the effect of artificial recharge structures. The maximum water quality improvement was observed near the artificial recharge structures at downstream side. The standard of irrigation water was improved during post monsoon period. Hence, it is recommended to recharge the groundwater artificially by constructing artificial recharge structures wherever feasible in the study area.

Sub-watershed Prioritization Based on Drainage Morphometric Analysis: A Case Study of Cauvery River Basin in South India

Abstract Prioritization of sub-watersheds in a river basin using morphometric parameters is one of the simplest approaches for development of watersheds for its use and management. In this perspective, a study has been undertaken in the Cauvery river basin in South India, using morphometric analysis of the entire river basin in relation to its 17 sixth order sub-watersheds. In this study, automated extraction of drainage network method was applied using geospatial techniques. Drainage morphometric analysis was performed through linear, aerial and relief aspects. Strahler stream order classification was applied for classifying the stream order. In general, dendritic and sub-dendritic types of drainage patterns are noticed in the Cauvery river basin. The total length of the river and basin area are 800 km and 82283 km2, respectively. Hypsometric analysis reveals that about 30% of the study area is covered by steep slope with deeply dissected landscapes and the remaining 70% spreads essentially in the Mysore plateau and Tamil Nadu plains which are generally having gentle slopes with an equilibrium stage of landscape development. Prioritization of sub-watershed was carried out based on compound parameter analysis by adding the values of linear and shape parameters of each sub-watershed. The results of prioritization of sub-watersheds reveal that about 88% of sub-watersheds that spread in the river basin fall under high and moderate priority categories for water resource developments. Only two subwatersheds fall under the low priority category which in turn are safe in the case of water resource development. The study warrants the need for more focused investigations and corrective measures including construction of appropriate recharge structures for improving the water potential of the river basin.

Mapping of Groundwater Recharge Potential Zones and Identification of Suitable Site-Specific Recharge Mechanisms in a Tropical River Basin

The increasing demands for the groundwater resources along with decreasing availability, especially in the hard-rock aquifers, call for sustainable groundwater management in India. The present study attempts to identify the potential zones for groundwater recharge, through water conservation measures, in a tropical river basin of Kerala (India), viz., Ithikkara River Basin. The approach enables us to locate the areas suitable for different groundwater recharge structures using remote sensing, geospatial data, and multi-influencing factor technique in the GIS environment. The geo-environmental variables used in the study are lithology, geomorphology, available space for recharge, slope angle, lineament density, soil texture, rainfall, percentage of sand fraction in soil, land use/land cover, and drainage density. The results indicate that lithology, available space for recharge and geomorphology, is the significant variables controlling the groundwater recharge of the study area. The estimated recharge potential zones of the basin are classified into four different classes based on their suitability for groundwater recharge, viz., very good, good, moderate, and least recharge potential zones. Roughly, 50% of the basin area belongs to very good and good recharge zones and is suitable for implementing various groundwater-recharging mechanisms. Based on the variability in the geo-environmental factors of the study area, different artificial groundwater recharge structures (i.e., rainwater infiltration pits, percolation ponds/trenches, injection wells/pond-cum-injection wells and check dams) are suggested using a rule-based approach. The results of the study will be beneficial to the formulation of sustainable groundwater management plans for the region.

Investigating groundwater recharge potential zones using a cross-correlation technique in a part of Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP), Central India

Groundwater recharge potential zones were identified using a cross-correlation assessment to determine how depths to groundwater levels varied with rainfall in a part of Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP), Central India. The estimated correlation coefficients at 38 well sites vary from − 0.18 to − 0.83, and there is typically a 0–2-month lag between water-level responses with rainfall. The magnitude of water-level responses generally decreases with the decreasing suitability of potential groundwater zones, which were determined using remote-sensing and GIS techniques. The calculated coefficients range from − 0.83 to − 0.67, − 0.66 to − 0.60, − 0.59 to − 0.53, − 0.52 to − 0.45, and − 0.44 to − 0.18 in the “very good”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor”, and “very poor” groundwater potential zones, respectively. A good correlation has been observed between the cross-correlation coefficients and the groundwater potential index with the value of R2 = 0.84. Therefore, the specific emphasis needs are explored in both groundwater potential and recharge potential zones, where groundwater levels are declining, and water scarcity is being experienced for constructing artificial recharge structures and planning for sustainable groundwater management.

A study of the morphometric analysis and cycle of erosion in Waingangā Basin, India

The stages of landscape brought by Wainganga river cycle of erosion are precisely characterized and determined by progressive returns of maximum relief ratio (above 70%), maximum amount of slope (40–100%), high dissection index (above 30%) high hypsometric integral (above 60%), high percentage of unconsumed upland (above 30%), and low circularity index. A total number of streams are 9472 in which 6502 are first-order, 2190 are second-order, 605 are third-order, 153 are fourth-order, 17 are fifth-order, and 4 are sixth-order streams. Bifurcation values range from 2.97 to 9.00 and the average bifurcation value is 3.97. The elongation ratios are 0.12. The values reveal that the basin is strongly elongated and it is composed of highly permeable homogenous geologic materials. The drainage density of the river basin is 0.66. With the advancement of the cyclic landscape, the trend of hypsometric integrals, relief ratio, amount of slope, dissection index, and percentage of unconsumed upland trends to decrease to a minimum, while circularity index increases. The penultimate stage of the landscape finally achieves maximum circularity with minimum returns of other variables progressively. The study recommends that the river basin needs a hydrogeological and geophysical study in the future for proper water management and choice of artificial recharge structures for recharge of groundwater in the area under consideration.

Development of recharge and conservation site suitability model for groundwater retrieval and evaluation of artificial recharge potential in a complex hydro-geological spring-fed river basin

In view of complex hydro-geological system and continuous groundwater depletion in mountainous region, there is an urgent need for replenishment groundwater sources in order to secure their long-term sustainability. The current study was aimed to develop a model that will efficiently suggest suitable sites in spring-fed Kosi watershed of Kumaun Himalayas for recharging groundwater. Factors affecting groundwater recharge were found to play a much more complex role in mountainous regions compared to plains due to diversified geological formations, lithological and chronological variations, and complex tectonic framework. In this study, behaviour of influencing factor in complex topographical region has been quantified independently as well as interdependently for identification of cumulative impact of these hydro-geological factors in recharging groundwater. A standard methodology was further developed to identify potential recharge sites by assigning intra-layer weightage and inter-layer score by quantifying the influence of each and every component influencing potential for groundwater recharge using integrated remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) technique. Study conducted in Bhatgaon micro-catchment of Kosi basin revealed that 24.1% area fall under the category having good to moderate recharge potential while 61.9% area have poor to moderate recharge potential, hence found less suitable for implementation of artificial recharge structures for conservation of groundwater. A GIS-based recharge and conservation site suitability (RCSS) model was developed with unique query-based codes that would guide for suitable sites in order to implement apposite groundwater augmentation measures for sustentation of Bhatgaon micro-catchment of Kosi basin. Furthermore, this kind of study is very helpful for groundwater managers to found best suitable site for implementing groundwater augmentation measures for long-term sustainability of natural groundwater sources in hilly terrain.

Identification of Suitable Sites for Artificial Groundwater Recharge Structures in Semi-arid region of Anantapur District: AHP Approach

The conservation and sustainable advancement of soil and water assets is one of the fundamental standards for improvement of arid and semi-arid regions of India. The present study is underway to evaluate the Artificial Groundwater Recharge Zones (AGRZ) in the semi-arid region of Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, India using Remote Sensing (RS), Geographical Information System (GIS) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique. The comparative weights were assigned to different thematic layers with the help of the decision making tool of AHP. A set of eight thematic layers influence groundwater potential (GWP) is determined based on their corresponding weights, which depend on a Saaty’s 9 points scale. These weights are normalized using AHP technique to identify the AGRZs. Five AGRZs were recognized as very low, low, moderate, good and very good, depending on its suitability to identify the sites for groundwater recharge. About 4.29 % (8.96km2) and 17.70 % (36.95km2) area in the region show very good and good potentials of artificial groundwater recharge, respectively. On the other hand 61.59% (128.60km2), 11.94% (24.94km2) and 4.48 % (9.35km2) area showed moderate, poor and very poor potentials. Overall accuracy of AGRZ map is 82.05%. 92 check dams, 19 percolation tanks and 7 check walls were found suitable in the region. The effectiveness and prediction ability of the method depends on integrity of the criterion used. AHP based methodology can be useful for precise and reliable analysis and predictions of groundwater in semi-arid regions of India.

Identifying groundwater recharge zones using remote sensing & GIS techniques in Amaravathi aquifer system, Tamil Nadu, South India

In order to increase the sustainability of the wells and arrest the declining groundwater level trends in Amaravathi aquifer system, southern India, remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) approach was attempted to identify favourable regions for construction of artificial recharge structures. GIS overlay analysis was carried out wherein 8 layers viz. geology, geomorphology, slope, soil, land use, post monsoon water level, weathering depth and waterbodies/drainage were integrated. Survey of India toposheet, Indian Remote Sensing Satellite IC data and ASTER data were used to develop the various thematic maps. These maps were later transferred to raster data. Groundwater level from the monitoring stations and weathering thickness data from the 248 deep wells constructed were used for the integration. Four zone namely very high, high, moderate and very poor have been demarcated. About 45% of the study area was categorised as high to very highly feasible zone. The existing artificial recharge structures in the region were also plotted and proposed artificial recharge structures were calculated. About 166 masonry check dam, 155 nala bunds, 575 recharge shafts (within tanks), 716 percolation ponds (repair, renovation and restoration) have been calculated and implementation of the proposed structures would create an additional water resource of 198 million m3 annually.

Hydrologic and cost benefit analysis at local scale of streambed recharge structures in Rajasthan (India) and their value for securing irrigation water supplies

A hydrological study of four streambed recharge structures, locally called check dams, in a monsoonal area of hard-rock terrain in Rajasthan, India, was conducted over 3 years to evaluate their contribution to agricultural production. Their catchment area totalled 3,003 ha, and mean annual recharge from the 4 impoundments was 779,000 m3 or 26 mm. The calculated components of the annual water balance of these check dams are presented, together with a sensitivity analysis on unmeasured parameters and documentation of capital and maintenance costs of check dams. The maximum recharge was found to occur in the wettest year for the two structures on first-order streams; however, for the two structures on second-order streams, the maximum recharge occurred in the average rainfall year because, at these sites, groundwater levels rose so that the stream became hydraulically connected to the aquifer for a period in the wettest year causing mean dry weather infiltration rates to diminish. The study also evaluated the effect of manual desilting and mechanical desilting on mean dry-weather-infiltration rate. For the check dam that was manually desilted, the recharge increased by 84% over that of the preceding year, whereas for the mechanically desilted check dam it reduced by 18%, and the two control check dams increased by 13%. A present value analysis for net benefits of additional crop production attributable to recharge from check dams indicated that, after accounting for average annual maintenance costs 2.9% of capital costs, the benefit:cost ratio of the four check dams averaged 4.1. Hence this study shows that these check dams are economically attractive at the local level for securing irrigation water supplies.

Impact of managed aquifer recharge structure on river flow regimes in arid and semi-arid climates

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) structure is widely used to expand groundwater resources. In arid regions with flash flooding, MAR can also be used as a flood control structure to decrease peak discharge of rivers. In this paper, we present a method for quantifying the role of MAR in head water systems and assess its impact on the total water balance in a river basin. The method is based on rainfall-runoff modeling, reservoir flood routing, recharge analysis and river flow analysis. For the case selected, Kamal Abad MAR in Lake Maharlou basin in southern Iran, we analyzed changes in the downstream river regime using two scenarios (with MAR and without MAR) with different return periods. The results revealed a significant impact of MAR on river flow in terms of changes in flow timing, magnitude and variability. With MAR, the ephemeral river studied became disconnected from the main stream, albeit, whereas the case without MAR, floods with return period higher than 10 years would be connected to the downstream. Even though, MAR structures are useful in arid and semi-arid climates for irrigation water supply, their placing and designing need more attention. The developed method can be used to assess the impacts of MAR on river flow and find the best location for it to make the connection of the ephemeral river and downstream river, an issue which has not received much attention in hydrological research.

Managed Aquifer Recharge in fractured crystalline rock aquifers: Impact of horizontal preferential flow on recharge dynamics

To overcome water scarcity issues, Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) structures are currently developed in many parts of the world, including poorly permeable terrain like weathered crystalline rocks. In such geological context, characterized by relatively limited groundwater storage mainly associated with fractures located at the interface between the upper weathered layer (saprolite) and the fractured bedrock, the efficiency of MAR is poorly known. To address this question and better understand the factors that control recharge dynamics, an artificial recharge basin was implemented at the Experimental Hydrogeological Park in Telangana (South India), a well-equipped and continuously monitored site situated in Archean granitic terrain. The thickness of the saprolite and hydraulic properties are relatively well known all over the site from previous geophysical surveys and hydraulic tests.To characterize recharge dynamics, recharge has been monitored in different boreholes surrounding the infiltration basin. Infiltration rates and water level data are interpreted by both a volume balance approach and different analytical solutions. In addition, a simple numerical model was used to show how the depth of the permeable interface between saprolite and granite controls recharge dynamics and observed water levels variations. Results show that the permeability of the saprolite/bedrock interface is sufficiently large to allow an efficient recharge that propagates laterally throughout the aquifer through this well connected interface. However, the variable depth of this permeable pathway controls the water level response, acting as a semi-impervious boundary, leading to remarkable water level variations. Thus, our findings show how the characteristics of the most permeable pathways control recharge dynamics in weathered crystalline rocks. In addition, we show how the depth variations of the permeable interface between saprolite and granite may be inferred from the monitoring of water level during recharge events.

Multi-criteria-based approach for optimal siting of artificial recharge structures through hydrological modeling

Extensive use of groundwater and abandoned agriculture practices causing desertification and environmental degradation of ecosystem is of major concern to planners. Ecologically sensitive areas like Western Ghats in India which is identified as World Heritage Site by UNESCO is facing similar threat. Construction of suitable artificial recharge structures at appropriate location is essential to improve the groundwater resource for environment protection. Study of watershed morphology has indicated the elongated shape, low runoff, and highly permeable subsoil conditions. The study proposes integration of multi-criteria-based land suitability analysis with runoff modeling in HEC-HMS to identify suitable structures and their location for artificial recharge of ground water. Remote sensing and GIS tools were used for mapping, integration, and modeling of artificial recharge process. Results demonstrate the suitability of farm ponds along first-order streams, percolation ponds, and subsurface dykes in middle of watershed and check dams in higher-order stream network. It is concluded that improved groundwater resources facilitate better environment protection and ecological balance.

Identification of watershed preference management areas under water quality and scarcity constraints: case of Jhajjar district watershed, India

Groundwater quality, scarcity and over-exploitation of available resources have produced several critical problems in Jhajjar district, Haryana, India. Health problems associated with drinking of polluted groundwater and its escalating demands make management of groundwater more complicated and require more innovative scientific analyses for good strategies of water management. In this study, a comprehensive water management plan has been developed for seven sub-watersheds of Jhajjar district using the remote sensing and geographical information system techniques. This research work addresses a central concern: how an integrated watershed management system can be applied, which can solve both water quality and scarcity problem in semi-arid climatic conditions. About 30 parameters including linear, areal and relief aspects of watersheds were determined for these watersheds. The focus was given on the characteristics of drainage basins such as permeability, soil quality, slope, run-off time and time of concentration for watershed during a rainfall event. Analysis results show that most of the basins are of an elongated shape with low drainage density and texture, which makes recharge plan difficult. Based on the outcome of the morphometric analysis of sub-watersheds, various suitable recharge sites have been proposed along with recharge structures for various stream orders. This study will address the immediate need to incorporate groundwater quality and will also help in replenishing the groundwater resources if implemented.

Isotope hydrology and geophysical techniques for reviving a part of the drought prone areas of Vidarbha, Maharashtra, India

A multidisciplinary approach including environmental isotope (δ2H, δ18O and 3H), hydrochemistry and electrical resistivity tools were used to revive a part of the drought prone areas of Vidarbha region, Maharashtra, India. In this study, groundwater recharge processes, monsoon characteristics, climate variables during evaporation in the region were evaluated using environmental isotope techniques. Additionally, electrical resistivity surveys were also conducted to understand the aquifer geometry and weak zones (fractures, lineament) for the sustainable groundwater development. Significant seasonal variation observed in stable isotopic composition, deuterium excess and tritium in precipitation helped to delineate the sources of vapour generating the rains during both the southwest and northeast monsoons. A negative correlation between stable isotopic content and amount of precipitation is observed. Two sources of groundwater recharge, namely, natural recharge from precipitation and contribution from artificial recharge structures (detention tanks) were deduced. Hydrochemical data also corroborates the above findings. Environmental isotope data show that the groundwater is predominantly recharged from the southwest monsoon, and the contribution from the northeast monsoon is insignificant. Tritium data indicate that the groundwater is modern and its residence time is of the order of a few years. Modelling of evaporative isotopic enrichment helped in estimating the climatic variables such as temperature and humidity during evaporation. Also, the recharge from the detention tanks was quantified based on isotope balance model. Aquifer geometry and groundwater potential zones were delineated in a part of the study area using electrical resistivity method. An integrated approach of multidisciplinary techniques is found to be effective in assessing the recharge processes and groundwater potentiality in drought prone areas.

Evaluating Efficacy of Recharge Structures in Augmenting Groundwater Resources in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh

Groundwater play a vital role in stabilizing Indian agriculture, but its indiscriminate uses is resulting in fast depletion and degradation of this key natural resource. Sustainable groundwater resource management is, therefore, a priority issue before the country. Enhancing artificial groundwater recharge by adopting suitable technological interventions can be an option. Two cavity-type recharge structures with radial-1 filter were designed-1 and installed with village ponds at Kutba and Nirmana villages, and their impact on groundwater was assessed. Recharge rates varied from 382 m3 .day-1 to 906 m3 .day-1 during three test cycles, each of 8 days duration. As estimated, 27,304 m3 surplus water was recharged through the recharge well at Kutba site during December 2017 to March 2018. Similarly, 0.2 m water table rise was recorded beneath and around the structure at Nirmana during monsoon 2018. Results of field investigations revealed that cavity-type recharge structure in combination with a pond and radial filter can be a good option for recharging surplus canal and rainwater for augmentation of water resources in groundwater depleting areas.

Chromium and fluoride contamination in groundwater around leather tanning industries in southern India: Implications from stable isotopic ratio δ53Cr/δ52Cr, geochemical and geostatistical modelling

This study investigates the contamination of groundwater by chromium and fluoride around leather tanning industries. Major ions, chromium, δ53Cr/δ52Cr and fluoride were analyzed by advanced analytical methods. High degree of variation was observed in the concentration of chloride in groundwater, which ranged between 205 and 3310 mg/L, around 56% of the samples were recorded above the acceptable limit indicating the quality of groundwater is fresh to saline and it could be due to mixing of tannery effluents with freshwater aquifers. The chromium in the groundwater around 40% of the sampling wells exceeds the permissible limit whereas, 37% of wells were with fluoride above the accepted limit. Geochemical modelling using Phreeqc suggest that the saturation index of minerals such as calcite, dolomite, fluoride, gypsum and anorthite is affected by precipitation, dissolution and ion exchange processes. Concentration of chromium isotopes δ53Cr and δ52Cr reveals the source of Cr in the groundwater is more likely from tannery effluents. Accumulation of fluoride in groundwater is contributed by bedrock, charnockite, granite, epidote hornblende gneiss, fissile hornblende biotite gneiss in the study area. Groundwater contamination in this area is caused by both natural as well as anthropogenic sources. Around 37% of the samples exceeds HQI limit (HQI>1), which indicates possible health problems to the public upon prolonged use of untreated groundwater for drinking. To overcome this situation, it's essential to improve the performance of the effluent treatment plants and recharge structure to recover the quality of groundwater.

Predilection of sustainable recharge structures using morphometric parameters and decision making model in the Vaniyar sub basin, South India

The morphometric parameters are depicting the hydrological reaction through geographic information systems (GIS) and geospatial techniques used for water conservation. In this area, drainage system shows a dendritic pattern occasion where the most outrageous number of streams found in the primary request and the stream arrange extended by receding in stream number. The preference criteria were chosen in the pappiredipatti watershed compared to other watersheds in the sub basin based on slope condition, rainfall, and weathered zone thickness. The highest mean bifurcation ratio is 4.9 at yercaud watershed whereas the lowest mean bifurcation ration is 1.8 in kadattur watersheds. The mean bifurcation proportion was 3.125 which demonstrate that the discharge design is influenced by auxiliary aggravations. The Elongation ratio lowest in 0.53 at kadattur and highest at KRW is 0.8, form factor esteems were 0.67 and 0.1.92 which specify stretched state of the bowl having a compliment high point of the stream for longer spans. Flowing streams of the prolonged basin are less demanding to oversee for accommodating to deciding the impact of the catchment territory on hydrological valuation. In the pappiredipatti watershed was chosen preference criteria of recharge structures, number of structures 8, 12, and 30 of check dams were built on 1st, 2nd, 3rd order stream individually. Two permeation lakes were developed nearer to 3rd order stream. Artificial recharge structures in 1st order are lower than in 2nd order, according to the morphometric investigation, the 2nd and 3rd order stream are described by high penetrable, high infiltration limit and low help, which is conducive for the recharge. The accompanying observations made while settling on the sort and plan of maintainability structures for the proper location.

Influence of groundwater recharge in Vaniyar sub-basin, South India: inference to socioeconomic benefits

In recent decades, increasing population activities are a complex task throughout the world. The scarcity of water in southern India is high as compared to the global average. Progressive development of the aquifer system by artificial recharging can be considered as a tool for increasing groundwater resource. The water conservation techniques had been used for increasing groundwater storage in the hard rock. ‘This research focuses on estimation of groundwater recharges using empirical model through artificial recharge structures, which plays a major role to enhance recharge. The groundwater recharge by water table fluctuation is estimated in context of recharge structures. It is an important role as sustainable development of groundwater resources. The normal groundwater renews by an annual rainfall varied from 11 to 16%. The total recharge is estimated 173.12 ha m in which the influence by conservation recharge structures varies from 0.34 to 26.33 which indicates the groundwater storage optimal maintained in the Pappireddipatti watershed (total number of structures is 22), whereas Vaniyar sub-basin groundwater recharge is estimated 530.30 ha m (total number of structures is 138). The performance of artificial recharge structures is to reduce extra surface runoff in the watershed. The optimal performances need to maintain for continuous withdrawal of groundwater through natural and artificial recharge structures. An empirical approach is used for the assessment of the recharge from rainfall with reasonable accuracy on the periodic groundwater recharge in the hard rock aquifer. The rainfall based on Thiessen polygon method was prepared by annual fall from three-gauge station in the watershed. The effective depth of precipitation of the rainfall is 915.31 mm. Hence, the recharge rate could be increased in close to suitable recharge site in the watershed. A GIS approach was utilized to incorporate six contributing variables: lithology, land use/land cover, soil types, geomorphology, drainage, and slope. The outcome of benefits showed that around 72% of the evaluation zone is assigned as good to moderate potential groundwater recharge whereas low bring down potential groundwater energize ranges with poor potential groundwater recharge covers 38% in the area. The outcomes demonstrate that the groundwater recharge potential zone is focusing on sustainable groundwater development. Further, there is improved in water level in low recharge area to moderate recharge with respect to rainfall influence at recharge structures. It confirms the interconnection of the aquifer.

AN ASSESSMENT OF SPATIAL VARIATION OF LAND SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS OF MINNA, NIGER STATE NIGERIA FOR SUSTAINABLE URBANIZATION USING GEOSPATIAL TECHNIQUES

AN ASSESSMENT OF SPATIAL VARIATION OF LAND SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS OF MINNA, NIGER STATE NIGERIA FOR SUSTAINABLE URBANIZATION USING GEOSPATIAL TECHNIQUES

Groundwater flow modelling of a micro-watershed in the upland area of East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India

In view of the progressive decline of groundwater levels in the majority of non-command upland area in the East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh state, India, there is an urgency to augment groundwater in the non-command upland areas. Groundwater flow model is constructed for a micro-watershed of 50 km2 namely ‘Konda Kalava watershed’ of ‘Suddegedda river basin’ located in the non-command upland area of East Godavari district. The steady state groundwater flow model simulated to seven observation wells and calibrated for the month of April, 2018. The objective of the model is to assess input and output stresses and to identify the over-stressed areas within the basin. The water budget analysis has revealed that the total groundwater extraction by pumping wells is 83.3% and evapotranspiration loss is 5.7% of the total groundwater recharge in the basin. The groundwater flow following the topography and is towards the mainstream with a maximum velocity of 0.4 m/day. The results revealed that the southern part of the basin is experiencing huge aquifer stress due to over-dependence on deep bore wells. It is recommended that, for at least one season, the most affected dry areas which are under paddy cultivation are to be promoted irrigated dry crops such as maize and jowar. It is also suggested that, due to local high salinity in and around Vannepudi village at the central part of the basin, the horticulture cultivation is to be promoted by increasing the surface water resources. The artificial recharge structures have to be constructed at suitable areas in and around Vannepudi village in order to improve the groundwater quality in terms of high salinity and also to rise the groundwater table in the southern part of the basin.