Chapter 2

HYDRO-GEOLOGICAL MODELLING AND AQUIFER

GEOMETRY

2.1 INTRODUCTION

The present chapter deals with the hydrogeology of the area under investigation. The
geology and hydro-geological conditions of an area strongly influence the occurrence
and distribution of groundwater as well as surface water. The geological set up and
the general stratigraphic sequences of the area of concern have been discussed in
Chapter 1. Representative sub-surface lithological sections have been made along
different section lines with the main aim of establishing a sub-surface correlative
relationship and to demonstrate the lateral and vertical extent of various aquifers in
the region. Also static models of the aquifers in the area under investigation have been
prepared using RockWorks software.

Hydro-geologically, the entire Chandigarh UT is covered by alluvium. Chandigarh is

characterized by top most unconfined aquifer followed by three semi-confined to
confined aquifers. Groundwater in the area occurs under water table, confined as well
as semi- confined conditions. Groundwater occurs under unconfined conditions down
to about 80 m in Manimajra area. In other areas the semi-confined conditions prevail
up to 20-30 m below land surface. Barring Manimajra area groundwater below 20-30
m exist under confined conditions. The depth of the shallow aquifer system is less
than 30 m below ground level whereas the depth of the deeper aquifer system ranges
from 40 to 450 m bgl of explored depth while in Manimajra area confined aquifers
occur below 90 m. The formations have been deposited by the drainage system
originating in the Shivalik formations. The coarser sediments occur along the Sukhna
Choe and Patiala-ki-Rao whereas relatively finer sediments underlie the area between
these two streams, thus restricting the aquifer disposition laterally. Based on the
exploratory drilling carried out by Central Ground Water Board down to a depth of
450 m bgl, it can be concluded that fair to good aquifer horizons occur in most part of
Chandigarh except in south-western parts near sectors 37,38,39,40 and 41. The typical
Kandi formations comprising boulders-gravel-coarse sand are not prevalent in the
area since the source formations are fine grained (CGWB, 2011). Hydrogeology of
Chandigarh is shown in figure 2.1.

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 (Source: CGWB,2013)

Fig. 2.1 Hydro-geological Scenario in Chandigarh

2.2 SUB-SURFACE LITHOLOGY OF PANJAB UNIVERSITY

CHANDIGARH

The area of Panjab University Campus is alluvial plain comprising of medium to

coarse grained sand. The sub-surface lithology of the Panjab University area as
encountered in the bore hole drilled by the Central Groundwater Board near Basic
Medical Sciences Block for roof top recharge well constructed in 2003 is given below
in table 2.1.

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Table 2.1 Sub-Surface Lithology of Panjab University, Sector-14 Chandigarh

Depth Range Thickness (m) Characteristics Major Sub-

(m bgl) Surface
Formation

0.00-3.00 3.0 Brownish mixed with gravel Sand and Clay

3.00-13.72 10.72 Light grey, medium to Sand

coarse, mixed with gravels,
pebbles and a few cobble.

13.72-30.48 16.76 Brownish to black in color, Clay

hard, sticky and plastic in
nature.

30.48-32.00 1.52 Brownish, fine to medium Sand

grained with a few gravels

32.00-41.15 9.15 Brownish in color, sticky Clay

and plastic in nature

56.70-64.00 7.30 Mixed with fine to medium Gravels and

grained sand, cobble and Pebbles
boulder, composed of sand,
stone and quartz and
calcareous material

64.00-73.00 9.00 Brownish and hard sticky Clay

and plastic in nature

(Source: CGWB, 2003)

From the above sub-surface lithology, it was inferred that the top soil layer ~3m thick,
comprising of sandy clay mixed gravel and was pervious in nature. Below this top soil
cover, water table aquifer extends up to 14 m below the land surface and was
composed of medium to coarse sand mixed with gravel, pebble and few boulder.

Beyond 14 m, clay layer of ~17 m thickness separates the deeper semi-

confined/confined aquifers. The clay is hard, sticky and plastic in nature and does not
allow the water to percolate down to the underneath layers. This horizon constitutes

47
the base layer of unconfined shallow aquifer. Below this layer, three aquifer systems
exist at the range of 30.50-32.00 m, 41.00-54.00 m and 56.70-64.00 m respectively,
separated by clay layers.

The depth to water level in the deeper aquifers in the area around Panjab University
Campus is between 13.12 m bgl at piezometer of Sector-37 D and ~22.03 m bgl at
piezometer of Sector-12. The present aquifer being exploited in Chandigarh is the
deeper aquifer. There are around 200 tube wells constructed by the Chandigarh
Administration in order to tap this aquifer system. The tube wells constructed in this
aquifer are showing declining trend in water levels.

The rate of decline of water level has been observed to be ~65 cm / annum at Sector-
37 D, during the period 2000-09. Similar decline in water level, during the same
period has been reported from Sector-12, where the rate of decline stands at ~86
cm/annum during pre-monsoon season and ~12 cm/annum during post-monsoon
season. It indicates that sufficient thickness of de-saturated aquifer is available for
recharge.

Natural replenishment of groundwater reservoir is a slow process and is often unable

to keep pace with the excessive and continued exploitation of groundwater resources
in urban areas. This results in declining groundwater levels and depletion of
groundwater resources, leading to several worrisome problems like reduced well
yields, land subsidence and other water crisis linked problems in the area and on the
other side water logging is also problem to be handled at its first step to avoid the
extra economical loss. In order to over-come these severe environmental implications
and to recuperate the groundwater situation, it is necessary to artificially recharge the
depleted groundwater aquifers.

As per the present demonstrative recharge scheme, 54 recharge structures were

proposed to be constructed out of which 53 are properly constructed due to other
feasible field conditions prevailing in the campus of Panjab University and it is
utilizing the surplus runoff of roof top, paved area and green belt of the university
area in Sector 14, Chandigarh (Fig.2.2)

Lithological samples were collected from various depths while drilling bores of 6”
diameters for analysis and textural classification. The wells have been dug by using

48
the rotary method and were out sourced by the University authorities. The lithology of
each of the well during its excavation was carefully recorded and the log data for each
well was created which has been used for the preparation of fence diagram of the
study area as discussed later in this chapter.

Fig. 2.2 Groundwater Recharge Sites in Panjab University Chandigarh.

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2.3 SURFACE ELEVATION CONTOUR MAP OF PANJAB UNIVERSITY

The surface elevation contour map was plotted for all the recharge wells of Panjab
University Campus to see the surface flow direction of water using MapInfo
Professional 6.5 (Fig. 2.3). The surface elevation varied between 345 m to 355 m amsl
(above mean sea level) in the land area of 386 acres of the PU campus.

Fig. 2.3 Surface Contour Map of the Study Area

A perusal of figure 2.3 clearly shows that AR15 is the highest point of the study area with
the value of 355 m amsl and AS1 is the lowest point of the area with the value of 345 m
amsl. It is also indicative of the fact that topography of the campus is elevated towards the
north and slopes towards south direction.

2.4 SUB SURFACE ELEVATIONCONTOUR MAP OF PANJAB

UNIVERSITY

Using MapInfo software the sub-surface elevation map was prepared to see the
direction of groundwater flow in the study area (Fig.2.4)

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 Fig. 2.4 Sub-Surface Water Elevation Map of the Study Area

Figure 2.4 represents the sub-surface water elevation in the study area. The sub-surface
water elevation is ranging between 352 to 324 m amsl. It is indicative of the condition
contrary to the surface elevation. AS5 is the highest point of the study area with the value
of 352 m amsl and AR26 is the lowest point of the area with the value of 345 m amsl.

2.5 HYDRO-GEOLOGICAL MODEL OF PANJAB UNIVERSITY

The characteristics and the nature of the alluvium have been studied with the help of
sub-surface 3D model prepared from the lithologs of various boreholes, drilled at
various sites varying from 82 m bgl up to the maximum depth of 100 m bgl under the
groundwater exploration program in Panjab University using RockWorks 15 (Table
2.2). The reliable and systematic data for lithological study was compiled and have
been incorporated in the present study.

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 Fig.2.5 3-D Hydro-Geological Model of Panjab University

Figure 2.5 is a 3D hydro geological model of Panjab University campus. The coarse
sand (highlighted in light blue colour) along with sand with gravel (highlighted in
purple colour) in Figure 2.5 is indicative of three distinct aquifers groups separated by
thick layer of clay. It is very much in coherence with the regional hydrogeology of the
area and here also the three aquifer groups namely, 1st, 2nd and 3rd are under semi
confined and confined conditions separated by confining layer of clay.

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Table 2.2 Total Depth, Cumulative Thickness, % Ratio of Clay, Sand, Sand with Gravel and Pebbles and Boulders

S. No. Location Total Depth Cumulative Cumulative Cumulative Cumulative % ratio of % ratio of % ratio of
Thickness Thickness Thickness Thickness Sand and Clay Clay with Clay with
(m bgl) (Clay) (Sand) (Sand with (Pebbles with with respect to respect to respect to
(m) (m) Gravel) Boulders) thickness Sand with Pebbles and
(m) (m) Gravel Boulders

1
AR-3 82.5 54.6 14.3 13.6 - 11:42 273:68
2 -
AR-22 90.0 57.0 31.0 2.0 31:57 57:2
3
AR-25A -
84.6 56.6 7.5 20.5 75:566 566:205

4
-
AR-25 95.0 26.0 58.0 11.0 29:13 26:11

5
AS-1 103 7.50 72.0 23.5 _ 48:5 15:67
6
AS-2 91.0 34.2 46.8 10.0 _ 26:19 342:1

7 -
AR-26 91.3 49.8 26.3 15.2 263:498 249:76

8 AS-13
84.0 32.5 31.7 12.6 7.20 317:325 325:126 325:72

9
AS-25 81.2 30.7 37.8 12.7 _ 378:307 307:127
10
AS-17 91.0 55.0 15.0 _ 21.0 3:11 55:21

Contd…….

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S. No. Location Total Depth Cumulative Thickness Cumulative Cumulative Thickness Cumulative Thickness % ratio of Sand and % ratio of Clay % ratio of Clay
(Clay) Thickness (Sand with Gravel) (Pebbles with Boulders) Clay with respect to with respect to with respect to
(m bgl) (m) (Sand) (m) (m) thickness Sand with Pebbles and
(m) Gravel Boulders

11
AR-19 91.44 24.38 48.76 18.288 _ 2:1 508:381

12
AS-6 93.0 12.0 54.0 27.0 _ 9:2 4:9

13
AR-2 92.5 19.45 19.48 38.96 14.61 1948:1945 1945:3896 1945:1461

14
AR-15 83.4 58.5 19.2 _ 5.70 64:195 195:19

15
- -
AR-24 82.5 45.5 37.0 91:74

16
-
AS-12 93.0 36.0 33.0 24.0 11:12 3:2

17 AS-21 82.4 52.2 8.20 9.7 41:261 522:97 29:7

18
-
AS-19 89.2 40.8 42.2 6.20 211:204 204:31

19 AR-27 83.5 50.8 8.20 4.0 20.5 41:254 127:10 508:205

20
-
AR-20 82.0 59.0 3.50 19.5 7:118 118:29

21 -
AS-9 82.6 67.8 10.0 4.80 50:339 113:8

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2.6 AQUIFER DISPOSITION OF PANJAB UNIVERSITY

Using this 3D model as base, 8 lithological sections have been extracted to study the
2D aquifer disposition of the PU campus covering an area of 1.562 sq. km (Fig. 2.6).

Fig 2.6 Location of Exploratory Boreholes and Lithological Sections

With the help of litholog data obtained from drilling of wells at Panjab University, the
sub-surface cross sections (Fig. 2.7 a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h) along A- A’, B- B’, C- C’,D-
D’,E-E’,F-F’,G-G’, H-H’ have been prepared to study the heterogeneity of the sub-
surface lithology in study area .

2.6.1 Section A-A’

The lithological section along A-A ’extending from South eastern to North western
boundary of the study area has been shown in figure 2.7(a). The study of this section
indicates that three prominent granular zones occur within a depth of 90 m below the

55
ground level. The aquifers are separated by thick clay layers of about 25-30 m
thickness. Strata are predominantly clay, sand and sand with gravel. Sand and gravel
layers are present at alternate depths which have been tapped to recharge rainfall run-
off.

Fig. 2.7 (a) Lithological Section A-A’ of Panjab University, Chandigarh

2.6.2 Section B-B’

The lithological section along B-B’ (Fig. 2.7 b) extends from the Western to Eastern
region to South Eastern part of the study area. The study of this section reveals that a
top thick clay bed in the area is underlain by approximately 30-35 m thick granular
zone at deeper depth which is separated by underlying strata of 15-20 m thick
persistent clay bed. The water bearing granular zones are at greater depths when
compared with other borehole data in the same area.

Fig. 2.7 (b) Lithological Section B-B’ of Panjab University, Chandigarh

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2.6.3 Section C-C’

The lithological section along C-C’ (Fig. 2.7 c) has been drawn from AS12 in
southeast side to AR24 in north western region. It almost passes diagonally through
the center of study area. The aquifers are separated by prominent clay zones in this
cross-section.

Fig. 2.7 (c) Lithological Section C-C’ of Panjab University, Chandigarh

2.6.4 Section D-D’

The lithological section D-D’ (Fig. 2.7 d) has been drawn parallel to the southern
boundary of study area linking from western to eastern region. Along this section the
depth of surface soil/clay bed varies from 2-3 m of uneven thickness. It is followed by
a thick granular zone of depth range exceeding 50 m. It is separated from underlying
strata by thick persistent clay bed. In some parts of this cross section, small
intercalations of clay occur within the granular zone.

Fig. 2.7 (d) Lithological Section D-D’ of Panjab University, Chandigarh

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2.6.5 Section E-E’

The lithological section along E-E’ (Fig. 2.7 e) has been drawn from AS1 in southern
side connected to AR26 in northern region. It passes diagonally through the study
area. The aquifers are formed here by coarse sand and are separated by prominent
clay zones.

Fig. 2.7 (e) Lithological Section E-E’ of Panjab University, Chandigarh

2.6.6 Section F-F’

The lithological section along F-F’ (Fig. 2.7 f) has been drawn from AS25 in
northwestern side to AS19 in southeast passing through AS 24, AS 22 and AS21. It
passes vertically through the center of study area. The aquifers are formed of coarse
sand along with sand and gravel as major proportion separated by prominent clay
zones in between demarcated by yellow colour.

Fig. 2.7 (f) Lithological Section F-F’ of Panjab University, Chandigarh

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2.6.7 Section G-G’

The lithological section along G-G’ (Fig. 2.7 g) has been drawn parallel along the
northern boundary from AR29 through AR 26 to AR15 in eastern direction. The
aquifers are more or less continuous in nature and are separated by thick prominent
clay zones.

Fig. 2.7 (g) Lithological Section G-G’ of Panjab University, Chandigarh

2.6.8 Section H-H’

The lithological section along H-H’ (Fig. 2.7 h) has been drawn mid of the study area
along western region AS 17 through AR 20 to AR15 in eastern direction. The aquifers
are more or less continuous in nature and are separated by thick prominent clay zones
and grain size increases as we move through west to east along this section.

Fig. 2.7 (h) Lithological Section H-H’ of Panjab University, Chandigarh

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The 2D aquifer disposition along the different cross as depicted in figure 2.7(a-g)
indicates alternate layers of sand and clay in the study area. It is also observed that
the sand is present in different grain sizes i.e. coarse, medium and fine, in
particular aquifer groups and their thickness varies with depth as we move from
one location to another. The nature of aquifer groups in the study area are semi-
confined to confined and are made up of coarse sand as well as sand with gravel.
But at some places, layer of sand pinches out against clay. A perusal of table 2.2,
where cumulative thickness of different lithologies present in the study area
indicates that upto the depth of 90-100 m bgl, percentage of clay is more dominant
as compared to sand.

2.7 AQUIFER GEOMETRY

The geometry, nature and type of the aquifer present are responsible for the
occurrence and movement of groundwater and are significant for resource evaluation
and estimation. The sub-surface hydrogeology of the area can be inferred with the
help of fence diagram prepared from the lithological logs and electrical logs of deep
boreholes drilled in the study area indicating the disposition and inter-relationship of
granular zones. This diagram has been used to represent the 3D aquifer disposition in
the study area and has been prepared with the help of RockWorks 15. Figure 2.8(a-c)
gives the three different views of the fence diagram of Panjab University Campus.

(a)

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 (b)

(c)

Fig. 2.8 (a, b and c) Fence Diagram Showing Aquifer Geometry of the Study
Area

The fence diagram as a whole indicates that the clay group of formations dominates
over the sand group upto a depth of 90 to 100 m bgl. As per the study of lithologs and
fence prepared it is conceived that unconfined aquifer ranges between 6 – 33 m bgl
whereas confined aquifer starts from 30 m bgl onwards in the study area. However,
comparatively the sand group percentage increases slightly in the central and southern
parts of the study area whereas clays exists predominantly in the northern part. The
granular zones are more of lenticular types in the north western and south western
parts of the study area. A striking feature of the formation in the area under

61
investigation is that the clay beds are invariably much thicker than the permeable
granular zones as a whole. This is also indicated in the 2D aquifer disposition.

This is one of the issues of serious concern regarding further groundwater

development in the area under investigation because large number of bore wells
tapping deeper granular zones have been constructed by State agency/Central
agency as a result of which depletion in ground water level has been observed in
deeper aquifers. So it is necessary to augment groundwater in these depleted
granular zones by artificial recharge to groundwater by diverting rainfall runoff of
rooftop and green area to sustain groundwater resource quantitatively as well as
qualitatively. Hence the demonstrative scheme to harvest rain water and use it to
recharge the deeper aquifer zones in PU campus is well justified.

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