Data collected from bore wells drilled by Central Ground Water Board in Bharathapuzha river basin in Kerala have been analyzed to understand the spatial distribution of yields in Precambrian crystalline rock aquifers and their possible relation to lineaments in the area. Bore wells show wide variation in yields in both charnockites and migmatites. Bore wells in the depth range of 50 to 100 m are most productive in the area and drilling of wells below 150 m may not be economical due to the dying out of fractures at depth. Bore well yields showed a decrease with increasing distances from lineaments in the area. Analysis of the yield data of bore wells with respect to the lineament orientations indicated that bore wells drilled along N-S and SE-NW lineaments are the most productive, whereas those located along NNE-SSW and ESE-WNW lineaments are the least productive. Yields of bore wells, in general, are found to be influenced by the ruptural deformations in the geologic past, with the high yielding wells lying mostly on the lineaments along the directions of compression.

Kuttanad area is part of the western coastal plains in Kerala characterized by a thick pile of Tertiary sediments underlying the Recent alluvium. The evolution of aquifer systems in these sediments are closely related to the geological history of the area and the groundwater in the Tertiary aquifer system was evolved during various marine transgressions and regressions. Chemical processes such as leaching of salts, cation exchange and chemical reactions under strong reducing environment modified the hydrochemistry of these aquifers. The salinization and freshening processes in the tertiary aquifer system elucidated from hydrogeological, hydro-chemical and stable isotope (2H and 18O) studies are documented in this paper. The hydrochemical and isotope studies corroborate with the observations in the earlier study on the flow regime in the coastal aquifers under SIDA assisted coastal hydrology project (CGWB, 1992).

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Water is not only an essential element for our survival but is also an important vehicle for economic development of the nation. Although water is a renewable resource, its reserve in nature is limited and therefore, we have to plan for its sustainable development and efficient management so that the growing demands of rising population, expanding industries and rapid urbanization are adequately met. To ensure the equity in distribution and ensure availability/sustainability, water governance should also emerge as an inevitable tool for water resource management The term governance deals with the processes and systems by which an organization or society operates. The World Bank defines governance as "the exercise of political authority and the use of institutional resources to manage society's problems and affairs". An alternative definition suggests that governance is "the use of institutions, structures of authority and even collaboration to allocate resources and coordinate or control activity in society or the economy". Thus, governance can be taken to be broadly synonymous with authority, decision making, power, administration, or policy decision. A comprehensive policy framework and associated statutes for implementation is a prerequisite for effective management of any natural resources, especially water resources. The objective of the National Water Policy is to take cognizance of the existing situation, to propose a framework for creation of a system of laws and institutions and for a plan of action with a unified national perspective on which various states can formulate their own State water policy realizing the ground truths which varies from state to state. NATIONAL WATER POLICY was formulated in 1987, revised in 2002 and 2012. Since water is a state subject, almost all state also formulated respective State Water Policies. Major emphasis in NWP 2012 as far as governance is concerned are (a) Water Regulatory Authority should be set up to fix water tariffs with provision of differential pricing for the pre-emptive and high priority uses of water. (b) Community based water management should be institutionalized and strengthened. (c) Water Users Associations should be given statutory powers to collect and retain a portion of water charges, manage the volumetric quantum of water allotted to them and maintain the distribution system in their jurisdiction. Water is a state subject as per the constitution of India. Thus, states have the exclusive power to regulate water supplies, irrigation and canals, drainage and embankments, water storage, hydropower and fisheries and almost every state has enacted its own irrigation act. While surface water sector is bestowed with appropriate legal frame work for adjudication, ground water which cater to significant share of irrigation and domestic water requirement, remain