The Hidden Thirst
How Aurangabad's Groundwater Crisis Fuels a Silent Emergency
The Farmer's Dilemma: Wells Running Dry
On a bright November morning in Maharashtra, farmer Anil Bhauraji Sarade sits by the fading blue walls of his farm's well, watching his cotton field—the economic lifeline of his family. He remembers the desperate drought of 2017-18 when, despite spending a stressful fortnight deepening his well from 50 to 60 feet, he found no water. His cotton yields plunged by 75%, costing his family ₹200,000 and forcing them to make painful sacrifices, including a bare-bones court wedding for one of the brothers 1 .
"If it rains well, everyone turns on their pumps and the groundwater decreases quickly" - Sunil Mahadeorao Bhadke, Farmer from Akhatwada village 1
Groundwater Depletion
Aurangabad exemplifies the complex interplay between agricultural economics, water resource management, and environmental sustainability.
Agricultural Impact
This article explores how the very crops that sustain the rural economy are simultaneously draining the region's vital groundwater reserves.
Groundwater Exploitation: When the Well Runs Dry
The Concept of Virtual Water Trade
What if we told you that every kilogram of cotton exported from India carries with it thousands of liters of hidden water? This phenomenon is called "virtual water trade"—the embedded water resources used to produce goods that are then shipped elsewhere. Between 2011-12 and 2020-21, India's cotton exports consumed a staggering 40 trillion liters of water 1 .
To visualize this volume, it's nearly seven times the water stored in the Sardar Sarovar Dam, which serves about 30 million people across four states 1 .
Virtual Water Export Comparison
Source: Research data 1
Groundwater Extraction in Maharashtra's Cotton Belt
Maharashtra ranks as India's second-largest cotton producer, contributing a quarter of the country's total production between 2013-14 and 2022-23 1 . Within this agricultural landscape, Aurangabad stands as the third highest cotton-producing district in the state 1 .
Groundwater Extraction in Top Cotton-Producing Districts (2023)
Source: Central Ground Water Board data 1
The Invisible Pathways: How Groundwater Moves and Gets Polluted
Surprising Travel Routes of Groundwater
Groundwater isn't stationary—it flows, sometimes remarkably long distances. Recent research from Princeton University reveals that groundwater can travel hundreds of kilometers underground before emerging in streams 2 . One flow along the base of the Rocky Mountains was found to span 148 miles (238 kilometers) 2 .
This has crucial implications for pollution management, as contamination in one area can potentially affect water resources far downstream.
Perhaps even more surprisingly, more than half the water in streams and rivers originates from aquifers once thought to be too deep to be connected to surface waterways 2 .
Unexpected Sources of Contamination
We typically think of groundwater pollution as coming from industrial spills or agricultural runoff, but some contaminants have far more exotic origins. A 2025 NOAA study confirmed that perchlorates—toxic chlorine-based chemicals known to disrupt thyroid function in humans—can form in the stratosphere (7-30 miles above Earth's surface) and then descend to contaminate groundwater 5 .
These perchlorates surprisingly cling to specific types of aerosol particles—particularly those from wildfires and biomass burning—which carry them down to Earth through precipitation 5 . Once in the ground, perchlorates are astonishingly long-lived, particularly in arid regions where they can persist and build up for thousands of years 5 .
A Deep Dive Into Cotton's Water Footprint
The Six-Month Investigation
To understand the true scale of cotton's impact on Maharashtra's groundwater, a six-month investigation was conducted involving extensive research and analysis of data from the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, parliamentary records, UN Comtrade, and ground reporting in Amravati 1 .
This comprehensive approach allowed researchers to connect the dots between agricultural exports, water usage, and groundwater depletion.
Export Water Footprint Calculation
Researchers calculated the virtual water embedded in cotton exports by combining export volume data with established blue water footprint figures for cotton 1 .
Groundwater Extraction Analysis
Data from the CGWB was analyzed to track changes in groundwater extraction rates between 2013-14 and 2022-23 in key cotton-producing districts 1 .
Field Verification
Ground reporting in affected regions provided real-world verification of the statistical findings and documented the human impact of groundwater depletion 1 .
Water Consumption for Cotton Production in Maharashtra
Water required to grow 1 kg of cotton in Maharashtra
Supplies 5-6 rural Indian households for a day 1India's cotton export water footprint (2011-12 to 2020-21)
7x water stored in Sardar Sarovar Dam 1India's contribution to global water used for cotton production
More than one-third of total global water for cotton 1Key Findings: An Unsustainable Trajectory
Source: Research investigation findings 1
The Scientist's Toolkit: Monitoring Groundwater Health
Researchers use specialized equipment and methods to study groundwater levels and quality. Understanding these tools helps appreciate how scientists gather the data that informs policy decisions.
Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (PALMS)
Primary Function: Directly samples composition of individual aerosol particles
Application: Used in NOAA study to detect perchlorates on stratospheric particles 5
Oxidation Flow Reactor
Primary Function: Mimics atmospheric reactions in controlled conditions
Application: Helps study how water pollution affects air quality 7
High-Resolution Hydrological Simulation
Primary Function: Tracks groundwater flow across vast regions
Application: Mapped underground water pathways across continents 2
USGS National Water Information System
Primary Function: Database of water resources nationwide
Application: Contains over 850,000 records of wells, springs, and aquifers 8
Other Pollution Threats to Groundwater
Source: Research data [4,7,9]
The Path to Sustainability: Solutions and Management Strategies
Comprehensive Groundwater Management
Experts suggest a multi-faceted approach to address Maharashtra's groundwater crisis 1 :
- Improved Monitoring: Enhanced groundwater tracking at the local level to provide accurate, timely data for management decisions.
- Water Rationing: Implementing responsible water allocation during scarcity periods.
- Policy Changes: Developing and enforcing policies that support sustainable cotton farming and water use.
- Farmer Education: Providing better guidance on efficient irrigation techniques to reduce water waste.
Global Standards and Local Actions
Internationally, the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) is developing technical guidance for freshwater targets that now includes groundwater use and toxic chemical pollution 6 . Such frameworks help companies address their water impacts more comprehensively.
On a local level, pollution prevention remains crucial. As the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee notes, "Preventing contamination from occurring preserves groundwater quality. Removing contaminants from an aquifer can be costly and at times technologically infeasible" .
Conclusion: A Thirsty Future Calls for Change
The story of groundwater in Aurangabad is more than just a narrative of declining water levels—it's a complex tapestry woven from agricultural practices, economic pressures, environmental changes, and technological capabilities.
The challenges are significant, but not insurmountable. From innovative monitoring technologies to improved irrigation techniques and better policy frameworks, solutions exist. What's needed is concerted action across sectors—from farmers to policymakers, researchers to industry representatives—to ensure that the wells that sustain communities like those in Aurangabad don't run dry for good.
The hidden thirst of our agricultural systems can no longer remain out of sight, nor out of mind. How we choose to respond will determine the water security of millions and the sustainability of rural economies across Maharashtra and beyond.