Groundwater NOC – Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, a Groundwater No Objection Certificate (NOC) is mandatory for industries, commercial establishments, infrastructure projects, and large-scale agricultural users extracting groundwater. Regulation is enforced by the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department and the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) to ensure sustainable groundwater management.
Who Requires Groundwater NOC
- Industries using groundwater for production or cooling
- Commercial establishments such as hotels, malls, hospitals, and offices
- Infrastructure and real estate projects
Groundwater NOC Process
- Application
Online submission through the Water Resources Department or CGWA portal with land, borewell, water usage, and recharge details. - Hydrogeological Assessment
Evaluation of groundwater availability and site inspection; strict conditions apply in over-exploited areas. - Installation Requirements
Mandatory digital water meters and rainwater harvesting or recharge structures. - Approval & Renewal
NOC issued for 3–5 years, with mandatory renewal before expiry
Key Regulations
- Restricted groundwater extraction in over-exploited areas
- Mandatory rainwater harvesting for industries and commercial users
- Periodic reporting on water extraction and recharge measures
- Unauthorized extraction may result in fines, borewell sealing, or legal action