“The preliminary analysis indicates an increase in the groundwater level. Before coming out with the final figures, we have to analyse certain other parameters like porousness of the soil and the total rainfall received in a particular area,” said senior hydrogeologist P Balakrishnan.

“In certain parts of the district, especially in the Thrikkakkara area where low groundwater level is recorded, a vigorous campaign should be launched as people are yet to install rain water harvesting systems at their homes,” Balakrishnan said.

He said that the department would seriously examine the groundwater table in and around Thrikkakkara as the region had shown considerable fall in the water level in the last three to four years. According to him, regions with clay or sandy soil cannot be included in the test as it is impossible to artificially recharge the groundwater in such areas.

“Usually the main indicators of increase in the water level are the wells and temple ponds in an area.

We regularly analyse the salt level or the level of the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in the groundwater to monitor the salt content in the water. The TDS which is counted in Part Per Million (PPM) will come down once the groundwater is charged with rain water,” said a Kerala Water Authority official.

“The TDS is the quantity of certain chemicals, including chloride or bio-carbonate, present in groundwater. This is one of the main reasons for the water to taste salty. The TDS is less in areas with sandy soil and is more in areas with clay and as well as the coastal areas,” said the official.