UP Groundwater Regulation Rules 2020: A Complete Guide for Industrial and Commercial Water Compliance

Introduction

Water is the foundation of industrial growth, yet uncontrolled groundwater extraction has led to alarming depletion in several states. To ensure sustainable and equitable use, the Government of Uttar Pradesh introduced the Uttar Pradesh Ground Water (Management and Regulation) Rules, 2020, under the U.P. Ground Water Act, 2019.

These rules formalize the Groundwater NOC process, regulate borewell registration, enforce rainwater harvesting compliance, and establish a structured industrial water management framework.
Understanding the UPGWD NOC process is crucial for industries and commercial users to maintain operational legality and demonstrate commitment to groundwater sustainability and regulation.

1. Legal Foundation and Objective

The Rules, notified on 25 February 2020, empower the State Ground Water Management and Regulatory Authority (SGWMRA) and District Ground Water Management Councils (DGWMCs) to manage, regulate, and monitor groundwater use.

Objective:

• Prevent over-extraction of groundwater.
  
• Ensure fair water access for agriculture, domestic, and industrial users.
  
• Enforce sustainable water resource practices.
  
• Strengthen accountability through a transparent Ground water NOC approval system in UP.
  

This aligns with India’s national goal under the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) to control groundwater exploitation and enhance recharge through rainwater harvesting compliance and water resource management audits.

2. Applicability and Key Definitions

The Rules apply to:

• All industrial, commercial, infrastructural, and bulk users of groundwater.
  
• Drilling agencies and individuals seeking borewell permission for industries or commercial use.
  
• Urban and rural entities falling under notified and non-notified areas.
  

Key terms include:

• Groundwater NOC: No-Objection Certificate allowing groundwater extraction.
  
• Challan: Proof of fee payment into the Ground Water Fund.
  
• Notified Area: Zone where groundwater extraction is restricted or regulated.
  
• Non-notified Area: Area where controlled groundwater extraction is permitted under specific conditions.
  

3. Registration of Wells and Borewells

A. Who Needs Groundwater UPGWD NOC Registration?

Every existing or future user of groundwater — whether industrial, infrastructural, or commercial — must register their wells under Rule 6.
This includes:

• Factories and manufacturing units.
  
• Industrial estates or industrial parks.
  
• Infrastructure projects using groundwater for construction or cooling.
  
• Bulk users such as housing societies and commercial complexes.
  

B. The UPGWD NOC Process

Applications must be submitted online via www.upgwdonline.in using the following forms:

Each well must have a separate application — a critical step for Borewell Registration in UP.

C. Fee and Payment

Industrial and commercial applicants must pay a registration fee decided by the SGWMRA.
All payments are made online and deposited in the Ground Water Fund, ensuring financial transparency.

4. Groundwater NOC Approval and Renewal

The District Ground Water Management Council (DGWMC) processes NOC applications under Rule 13–15.

A. For New NOC Applications

• Apply online in Form 8(A) for fresh extraction permission.
  
• Submit technical details such as location, extraction capacity, and recharge measures.
  
• The DGWMC must approve or reject within 30 days, failing which the NOC is deemed approved.
  

B. For NOC Renewal

• Existing users with valid CGWA NOC for industries or previous UPGWD approval must apply for renewal in Form 8(B).
  
• Renewal is typically valid for five years.
  
• DGWMC consults the Ground Water Department (GWD) for technical evaluation before renewal.
  

C. Grounds for Rejection or Cancellation

The State Authority can cancel or suspend a Groundwater NOC if:

• Extraction exceeds the approved limit.
  
• Conditions of the NOC are violated.
  
• Groundwater levels in the area deteriorate critically.
  

This ensures continuous monitoring and adaptive groundwater regulation in UP.

5. Fixing Limits of Groundwater Extraction

Under Chapter VI (Rule 20), the Ground Water Department sets abstraction limits for industrial and bulk users based on:

• Hydrogeological conditions.
  
• Resource availability.
  
• Zone categorization (safe, semi-critical, critical, or over-exploited).
  

These limits are explicitly mentioned in the authorization certificate — making it a core compliance condition for industries.
This is key to maintaining industrial water management compliance and ensuring groundwater sustainability.

6. Borewell Drilling Agency Registration

To prevent unauthorized drilling:

• Every drilling agency must register with the DGWMC using Form 5(A) (for new) or Form 5(B) (for existing).
  
• Registrations are district-specific.
  
• Agencies must report quarterly drilling activity online.
  

This rule strengthens traceability in the Borewell Registration in UP process and curbs illegal groundwater extraction.

7. Identification of Notified Areas

The Ground Water Department identifies over-exploited, critical, and stressed urban blocks based on annual groundwater resource assessments.
Once approved, these are declared Notified Areas, where:

• New borewells are restricted.
  
• Groundwater extraction requires special permission.
  
• Recharge and conservation measures are prioritized.
  

This dynamic classification ensures targeted groundwater regulation and sustainable water allocation.

8. Establishment of Groundwater Quality Sensitive Zones

Under Rules 21–22, the State Authority identifies Ground Water Quality Sensitive Zones based on contamination levels, working with:

• Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)
  
• Pollution Control Boards
  
• National Institute of Hydrology, IITs, and scientific agencies
  

In such zones, stricter norms apply for:

• Groundwater extraction permission
  
• Effluent discharge
  
• Water treatment and reuse
  

This safeguards drinking and irrigation supplies while promoting groundwater sustainability and regulation.

9. Treated Wastewater Standards and Industrial Compliance

A. Treated Water Standards

The State Authority, in consultation with CPCB and CGWB, sets wastewater reuse standards.
Industries are required to:

• Install treatment systems.
  
• Ensure treated effluent meets approved standards.
  
• Reuse treated water for industrial or horticultural applications.
  

B. Enforcement

Industries without treatment facilities must install them within one year of notification.
Failure to comply can result in:

• Disconnection of borewell power supply.
  
• Cancellation of Groundwater NOC.
  
• Prosecution under Section 39 of the Act.
  

This marks a decisive move toward zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) and responsible industrial water management.

10. Rainwater Harvesting Compliance

One of the most progressive features of these rules is Chapter IX – Rainwater Harvesting.
It mandates rainwater harvesting for all plots measuring 300 sq. meters or more.

Key Provisions:

1. Mandatory Compliance:
   All government buildings, private institutions, and industries must install rainwater harvesting structures.
   
2. Phased Implementation:
   
   • Phase 1: Government and institutional buildings (within one year).
     
   • Phase 2: Private properties and industries (within two years).
     
3. Verification and Penalties:
   
   • Non-compliant users face disconnection of borewells or submersible pumps.
     
   • Area-specific recharge designs are provided online by the SGWMRA.
     
   • Users must report installation online at www.upgwdonline.in.
     

This initiative ties groundwater extraction directly with rainwater harvesting compliance, ensuring long-term recharge balance.

11. Grievance Redressal and Citizen Interface

Under Rule 28, citizens or industries can file grievances online via upgwdonline.in  regarding:

• Delays in NOC processing,
  
• Violations of groundwater norms,
  
• Illegal borewell operations.
  

Complaints are resolved within 30 days, with an appeal provision to the State Ground Water Management and Regulatory Authority.

This promotes transparency, accountability, and stakeholder participation in groundwater governance.

12. Institutional Mechanism and Enforcement

The Rules establish a three-tier governance structure:

1. Block & Municipal Committees – Local monitoring and data collection.
   
2. District Ground Water Management Councils – Processing NOC and registrations.
   
3. State Ground Water Management and Regulatory Authority – Policy, technical approval, and enforcement.
   

This ensures integrated oversight for groundwater sustainability and regulation across urban and rural areas.

13. Role of Simplicomp Tech LLP in Water Compliance

At Simplicomp Tech LLP (Environmental Pollution Board Consulting, India), we assist industries in navigating the complex Groundwater NOC approval process — from CGWA NOC for industries to UPGWD registration and compliance audits.

Our services include:

• End-to-end Groundwater NOC in India and state-specific NOC approvals.
  
• Assistance in Borewell permission for industries and groundwater extraction renewals.
  
• Industrial water management compliance audits and rainwater harvesting design support.
  
• Technical guidance on groundwater recharge and sustainability planning.
  
• Water resource management audit and documentation for environmental due diligence.
  

With our expertise, industries ensure compliance, avoid penalties, and contribute to sustainable groundwater management.

Conclusion

The Uttar Pradesh Ground Water (Management and Regulation) Rules, 2020 establish a clear, transparent, and technology-driven framework for managing India’s most vital resource — groundwater.

From borewell registration to rainwater harvesting compliance, these rules place accountability on every user — ensuring that industrial and commercial growth does not compromise environmental sustainability.

For industries seeking seamless Ground water NOC approval in UP or nationwide CGWA NOC for industries, partnering with experts like Simplicomp Tech LLP ensures compliance, efficiency, and alignment with India’s vision for groundwater sustainability and regulation.