Bore Wells Vs. Open Wells: Water Crisis and Sustainable Alternatives in Kerala

Recently bore wells have been identified as an alternative to the increasing water/groundwater scarcity in Kerala. But whether bore wells could serve the purpose of open wells becomes a matter of debate. In this context conflicting arguments arise among people on the question of inter-linkage between groundwater in open wells and bore wells. Geologists, engineers and scientists held opposing position regarding this problem making the issue much more complicated than answered. This paper attempts to discuss the opposing arguments over groundwater inter-linkage in open wells and bore wells in the context of decreasing ground water table and feeble regulations in Kerala. The paper also presents the contemporary relevance in the findings of a report submitted by Cyriac Kurian, Hydrologist of Kerala Water Authority. The report highlights how the constant use of water in the bore wells caused depletion in water level in open wells. Thus the objective of the paper is to unravel the sustainability of bore wells as an alternate strategy to open wells in Kerala.