No-Objection Certificate for Domestic Water Boring Tube well: A Complete Guide

Introduction

A No-Objection Certificate, or NOC, is a significant document for any activity. It ranges from drilling a domestic water borewell. It is said that the concerned authorities have no objection to the proposed activity and have granted permission to it.

Why an NOC for a Domestic Water Borewell?

• Groundwater Regulation: To ensure sustainable groundwater extraction and prevent depletion.

• Environmental Impact Assessment: Establishes the potential effects of borewell in the environment

• Public Health and Safety: Prevents contamination of source of water and ensures its purity, keeping the bore sources of groundwater free of pollution

• Land Use Regulations: Meets zoning and regulations imposed upon land usage

NOC Issuing Authorities

Various places have different byelaws and regulations depending upon their authority to grant NOC for domestic use borewell. Some of them include:

• Central Ground Water Board: This is the central body established to oversee the regulations and management of the use of groundwater in India. NOCs might be issued for such an extraction mainly if it is for a location where critical conditions for groundwater are observed.

• State Ground Water Boards: Even such NOCs may originate from state-level water boards. In an illustration, state water boards could issue such NOCs if groundwaters are taken up for a particular district.

• Local Municipal Corporations or Panchayats: Such local authorities may have varied standards and regulations in terms of issuance of NOCs for home-water borewells.

• Department of Public Health Engineering: Possibly on the grounds that there might not be any contaminants within the borewell water as drinking water.

Step-to Obtain an NOC over House Borewell for Pure water

An NOC with regard to a domestic house borewell is typically followed over this procedure:

1.Submission of Application:  present before the relevant officer along with all relevant documentation including proof of owning ground, site plan and how deep the bore well ought to be dug.

2.Field Inspection: The concerned authority may carry out site inspection to evaluate the appropriateness of the site and the intended depth of the borewell.

3. Hydrogeological Survey: Hydrogeological survey can be carried out to determine the existence and the quality of groundwater in the area.

4. Environment Impact Assessment (EIA): In certain situations, there may be a requirement to obtain EIA to ensure that one evaluates their impact in the environment.

5. Public Hearing:  To meet public opinion so that the public voice their opinions towards the borewell.

6. NOC Issuance: The application undergoes and passes if issued with NOC by the concerned authority, not without stipulating conditions or guidelines of control.

 Important Considerations in Case of Domestic Water Borewells

• Borewell Depth: The borewell depth needs to be decided on the basis of the ground water table level and limits defined by the concerned authorities.

• Pumping Capacity: The pump should be of such a capacity that it doesn’t take out extra water from the ground.

• Water Quality: The quality of the water must always be checked in order to confirm whether the water is suitable for drinking or not.

• Rainwater Harvesting: Installation of rainwater harvesting structures would save groundwater and at the same time reduce the consumption of borewell water.

• Sustainable Groundwater Management: Make it sustainable, and nobody would exhaust or poison it.

Challenges and Future

Getting NOC for a domestic water bore well is a sort of lengthy procedure. A few of them are:

• Bureaucratic Delays: Applications take longer to get processed and get NOC.

• Lack of Information: Most people may be poorly informed about the minute formalities and procedures required in the acquisition of NOC.

• Corruption and Embezzlement: In several instances, the procedure faces corruption and embezzlement

All these can only be eradicated by helping from the following aspects :

• Process Simplification: Procedure to apply should be less and papers needed for them

• Transparency: Transparency procedure and transparent dealings has to be built up.

• Digitalization: Automation through technology so that less paper is required.

• Public Awareness: Train the public why there should be sustainable groundwater management and why permits are required.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

An EIA sometimes precedes the drilling of a domestic water borewell. An EIA could be mandatory for large-sized borewells or even those located in sensitive environmental settings. The EIA will predict the potential environmental impact of the borewell which may include

• Groundwater Recharge: The over-extraction of water from the ground might lead to the draining out of readily available water resources.

• Land Subsidence: Over-extraction of water causes land subsidence.

• Effect on Quality of Water: Poorly designed borewells, sometimes lead to contaminating ground water resources.

Testing Water Quality

Testing the water quality before its use is very important so that the water coming out from the newly drilled borewell is free from impurities and is safe for consumption. Some of the impurities that may be present in the borewell water include bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and chemicals.

Maintenance

This is the key to the long-term life of the borewell and the quality of the water. A few examples are:

• Well Cleaning: Periodic cleaning of the well to remove siltation and dust deposited at the bottom.

• Pumping Efficiency: Providing that the action of pumping would not go waste on waste power

• Check on the Quality of the Water: Continuous check to know if quality changes have come about.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

You should know about the local laws and regulations related to the extraction of groundwater in your area. The state-wise laws and regulations include:

• Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974: This act deals with the quality of water in surface water bodies and groundwater.

• Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: This act deals with the protection and improvement of the environment.

Best Practices for Sustainable Groundwater Use

• Harvest Rainwater: Establish harvesting of rain water as a means to decrease reliance on groundwater supplies.

• Water Conservation: Implement water conservation methods such as drip irrigation, efficient use of water.

• Don’t Pump All Out: Pump it only when necessary to avoid wiping out the groundwater sources.

• Monitor It Consistently: Observe the level of the groundwater and quality and use it sustainably.

• Community’s Share in Management: Promote community-based approach for effective management of groundwater.

Conclusion

An NOC for a domestic water borewell is required to fulfil the regulation and ensure safe and sustainable groundwater management. If this blog along with the accompanying challenges is followed, it should be easier for any individual to obtain the necessary permissions and use water responsibly.

It is essential to know the environmental impacts it imposes on getting water from the ground, so one must act sustainably toward that water resource. That will ensure that there would be clean and safe water in the future for individuals, communities, and government agencies that clean it.