Haryana Water Resources Authority (HWRA) Consulting

The Haryana Water Resources Authority (HWRA) is a statutory body established by the Government of Haryana under the Haryana Water Resources (Conservation, Regulation and Management) Authority Act, 2020. Its primary purpose is to address the critical issue of water scarcity and over-exploitation of water resources in the state.

Key Functions and Powers of HWRA 

The HWRA has a broad mandate to conserve, regulate, and manage both surface and groundwater resources in Haryana. Its main functions and powers include:
  •    Regulation of Water Use: The authority grants No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and permissions for the extraction of groundwater for various purposes, including industrial, commercial, and infrastructure projects. This is a key regulatory tool to control water abstraction and prevent further depletion of aquifers. Certain categories of users, like individual domestic consumers and agricultural activities, are typically exempt from this requirement.

  •    Conservation and Management: HWRA is responsible for developing and implementing plans for the sustainable use of water. This includes promoting rainwater harvesting, artificial recharge of groundwater, and other water-saving measures. It aims to achieve a judicious, equitable, and efficient use of water resources across the state.

  •    Data and Planning: The authority is tasked with collecting and analyzing data on water resources. It publishes reports on groundwater and surface water, and uses this information to create and update an Integrated State Water Plan. This planning is crucial for making informed decisions and designing interventions at a block and village level.

  •    Enforcement: HWRA has the power to impose restrictions and mechanisms to ensure a sustainable water regimen. It can impose environmental compensation or penalties on those who illegally extract groundwater or violate its regulations.

  •    Collaboration and Awareness: The authority works with other government departments and stakeholders to improve water governance. It also conducts awareness campaigns to educate the public on the importance of water conservation.
 

The purpose of the Haryana Water Resources Authority (HWRA) is to address the critical challenges of water scarcity, over-exploitation of groundwater, and inefficient water use in the state of Haryana. Established under the Haryana Water Resources (Conservation, Regulation and Management) Authority Act, 2020, HWRA serves as a central body with a broad mandate to ensure the sustainable, judicious, and equitable management of all water resources—both surface and groundwater.

The main purpose of HWRA is to regulate, manage, and conserve the water resources of Haryana, especially groundwater, which is under severe stress in the state.

1.    Groundwater Regulation

       --   Control and monitor extraction of groundwater for industrial, commercial, agricultural, and domestic use.
       --   Issue permissions and NOCs for groundwater withdrawal.

2.    Water Conservation & Sustainability

       --   Promote rainwater harvesting, artificial recharge, and efficient water use.
       --   Ensure sustainable use of groundwater to prevent over-exploitation.

3.    Planning & Management

       --  Prepare water security plans for different regions of Haryana.    
       --  Recommend measures to balance demand and supply of water.

4.    Policy & Guidelines

       --  Frame regulations for water pricing, reuse, and recycling.
       --  Encourage industries, institutions, and urban bodies to adopt water-efficient practices.

5.    Monitoring & Enforcement

       --   Maintain records of groundwater levels and extraction.
       --   Take corrective and punitive actions against illegal or excessive water extraction.

6.    Public Awareness

       --   Spread awareness about water scarcity and the importance of conservation.
       --   Involve communities, industries, and farmers in water-saving initiatives.
 

HWRA permission for groundwater drilling/boring is required for:

• Industrial Usage
• Mining Usage
• Infrastructural Usage
• Domestics water usage in Industrial Units

The Haryana Water Resources Authority (HWRA) has established detailed guidelines for the abstraction of groundwater for industrial use to ensure its sustainable management. These guidelines are primarily based on the categorization of administrative blocks (tehsils) into different groundwater zones: Over-exploited, Critical, Semi-critical, and Safe.

The key aspects of the HWRA guidelines for groundwater drilling and use for industrial purposes:

1.  Mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC)

All industries, regardless of their size, are required to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the HWRA before they can drill a bore well or extract groundwater. The application process is conducted online through the official HWRA portal.

2.  Restrictions Based on Groundwater Levels

The most significant factor in the HWRA's decision is the groundwater status of the area where the industry is located. The guidelines are stringent for stressed areas:
•    Over-exploited areas: Generally, no new NOCs are granted for groundwater abstraction for industrial use in these areas. However, an exception is made for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Even for them, NOCs may be limited to drinking/domestic use for the workforce and for green belt development.
•    Critical, Semi-critical, and Safe areas: NOCs for groundwater extraction may be granted in these areas, but the industries are subject to specific conditions and charges.

3.  Conditions for Granting NOC

When an NOC is issued, it comes with a set of specific conditions that the industry must adhere to:
•    No Alternative Water Source: An NOC is typically granted only if the local government water supply agencies are unable to provide the required quantity of water. The industry must provide proof of the non-availability or partial availability of an alternative water source.
•    Water Conservation and Efficiency: Industries are required to adopt the latest water-efficient technologies to reduce their dependence on groundwater.
•    Rainwater Harvesting and Recharge: All industries must implement rooftop rainwater harvesting and other artificial recharge measures on their premises. Industries that are likely to pollute groundwater (e.g., chemical, pharmaceutical, tannery) must store harvested rainwater in surface tanks for use in their operations to prevent contamination.
•    Installation of Piezometers and Water Meters: Industries abstracting more than 10 cubic meters per day of groundwater are required to install an observation well (piezometer) within their premises, at least 15 meters away from the borewell. They must also install a water meter to monitor and report water levels and consumption monthly through the HWRA web portal.
•    Water Audit: Industries abstracting a significant amount of groundwater (e.g., more than 100 cubic meters per day) are required to undertake a yearly water audit by certified auditors and submit reports to the HWRA. They may also be required to reduce their groundwater usage by a specified percentage over a set period.
 

The Haryana Water Resources Authority (HWRA) requires a comprehensive set of documents for its online application for groundwater extraction. The specific documents can vary slightly depending on whether the application is for industrial, infrastructure, or mining use, and if it's for an existing or a new project.

1.  General Applicant and Project Information

•    Identification Documents: Aadhar Card and PAN Card of the authorized signatory.
•    Proof of Land Ownership: This can be a land registration deed, a lease agreement, an industrial plot allotment letter, or an up-to-date valid lease deed duly registered, if the land is leased.
•    Business/Company Registration Documents:
     --   For industries, this may include the MSME registration number (UDYAM/Udyog Aadhar Memorandum), Factory Act Registration, or Certificate of Incorporation (CIN).
•    Site Plan/Location Details: A detailed site layout map showing the location of the proposed or existing bore well and the surrounding area.
•    Project Details: A project report outlining the purpose of groundwater use, a water balance chart, and a detailed description of the industrial/infrastructure process and water requirement at each stage.

2.  Water Availability and Quality report

•    Water Supply Denial Affidavit: A "Non-availability of water supply/water denial Affidavit" from the local government water supply agency (e.g., PHED, HSVP, or Municipal Corporation). This is a crucial document to prove that a public water source is not available to meet the project's water needs. The certificate should not be older than six months.
•    Groundwater Quality Test Report: A recent groundwater quality test report from a NABL-accredited laboratory for the existing or proposed bore well.

3.  Environmental and Regulatory Compliance

•    Consent to Operate (CTO) / Consent to Establish (CTE): A valid CTO from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) for an existing project or a valid CTE for a new one, unless the industry falls under an exempted category.
•    Environmental Clearance (EC): If the project requires environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), the EC letter must be submitted.
•    NOC from Wetland Authority: If the project area falls within a 500-meter radius of a wetland zone, a No Objection Certificate and permission from the Wetland Authority are required.

4.  Technical and Audit Reports

•    Water Audit Report: For high-volume water users, a water audit report prepared by a certified auditor may be required as per HWRA rules.
•    Impact Assessment Report (IAR): For projects with significant water requirements (e.g., over 500 KLD), a detailed Impact Assessment Report, sometimes with groundwater modeling, must be submitted. This report must be prepared by a consultant with a valid accreditation certificate.
•    Rainwater Harvesting and Recharge Proposal: A comprehensive and feasible proposal for implementing rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge measures on the premises.

5.  Other Documents

•    Authorization Letter: An authorization letter from the company or organization authorizing the signatory to apply for the NOC on its behalf.
•    Affidavits: In cases where groundwater requirement is less than 10 m3/day, an affidavit on a non-judicial stamp paper regarding the non-availability of water supply from local government agencies may be accepted.
 

The cost of obtaining a Registration from the Haryana Water Resources Authority (HWRA) for groundwater extraction involves several components, including application fees, a security deposit, and recurring abstraction or restoration charges. The specific costs depend heavily on the type of user (e.g., industrial, infrastructure), the quantum of water required, and, most importantly, the groundwater category of the area (Safe, Semi-critical, Critical, or Over-exploited).

1.  Govt.  Fee

--  For Industrial use

The government fee for industrial use application is Rs.25,000 for 10 to 100 cum/day water extraction, Rs.50,000 for more than 100 but less than 500 cum/day of groundwater extraction, Rs.1,00,000 for more than 500 but less than 1000 cum/day and Rs.1,50,000 for daily water extraction of more than 1000 cum/day. For renewal, the application fee is half the applicable fee for a new NOC.

--  For infrastructure use

For a Government /PSU/Semi-Government applicant, the Government fee is Rs.50,000 and for others, the fee is Rs. 1,50,000. For renewal, the application fee is half of the application fee for a new NOC.

--  For mining use

The Government fee for a Direct user is Rs.1,50,000 and for an indirect User, it is Rs.75,000. The renewal fee is half of the applicable fee for a new NOC.

2. Groundwater Abstraction/Restoration Charges

This is the most significant and recurring cost. The HWRA imposes charges based on the quantity of water extracted. The rates are calculated per cubic meter (m3) and vary significantly based on the groundwater category of the area and the volume of water withdrawn.
•    Groundwater Abstraction Charges: These are levied on industries in Safe, Semi-critical, and Critical areas. The rates increase as the quantum of groundwater withdrawal increases and as the groundwater situation becomes more stressed. For example, an industry in a "Critical" area will pay a higher rate per cubic meter than one in a "Safe" area for the same amount of water.
•    Groundwater Restoration Charges: These are applied to existing industries and new permitted projects in Over-exploited areas. The rates are significantly higher than the abstraction charges to discourage water use in these highly stressed zones and to fund restoration efforts.
The specific rates are detailed in the HWRA's guidelines and tables. For example, as per some of the past guidelines, the per cubic meter charge for an industry could range from as low as ₹1 to over ₹100, depending on the factors mentioned above.

Other Potential Costs:

•    Late Fee: If an existing industry fails to apply for an NOC by the specified deadline, a substantial late fee (e.g., ₹1 lakh) may be imposed.
•    Environmental Compensation: The HWRA has the authority to impose heavy penalties and environmental compensation on industries that illegally extract groundwater without a valid NOC or violate the terms and conditions of their permit.