In this episode of The Water Data Podcast, host Veena Srinivasan speaks with Dr. Himanshu Kulkarni, hydrogeologist and co-founder of ACWADAM, about groundwater science in India – from basalt aquifers and rural irrigation to springshed revival in the Himalayas and participatory groundwater management.

This episode was recorded in November 2025 on the sidelines of a two-day event celebrating the life and work of Dr. Himanshu Kulkarni, marking his recognition with the 2025 International Water Prize by the University of Oklahoma. Because the conversation was long and deeply insightful, we’re releasing it in two parts – this is Part 2.

In this episode, Dr. Kulkarni explains how participatory groundwater management (PGWM) evolved in India, and why aquifers must be treated as common pool resources. He shares field-based examples of PGWM “models” in practice — from borewell bans and drinking water protection zones to borehole pooling and crop planning. He also reflects on the biggest external forces shaping groundwater outcomes, especially energy policy and market incentives.

Through this conversation, he explains why urban groundwater remains “hidden”, and why cities must treat recharge as a public service, not just an individual mandate. Finally, he highlights the major unanswered questions in groundwater today — contamination and depletion — and why groundwater science will always remain a field science.

The Water Data Podcast is a talk show on the science, systems, and stories of water hosted by Veena Srinivasan.

For all references and further readings related to the episode, visit https://welllabs.org/wdp-himanshu-kulkarni-pt2/

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Recording by Vedant Ambrule and Tippana Chaitanya. Video editing by Nabina Chakraborty. Graphics and artwork by Aparna Nambiar and Kanishka Goyal. Audio mixing and mastering by Vijay Doiphode. Podcast production and management by Nabina Chakraborty and Pavan Srinath.

Hydrogeologist Vivek Grewal joins host Pavan Srinath to unpack how Maharashtra’s basalt geology shapes groundwater and why managing it requires thinking in layers.

The conversation explores how the Deccan Traps were formed, how vesicles, fractures and weathered rock store water, and why groundwater in Maharashtra behaves very differently from granite aquifers in South India.

Vivek takes us from mantle plumes and lava flows 65 million years ago to today’s seasonal and perennial aquifers, open wells versus borewells, recharge pits, farm ponds, and the delicate balance between upstream and downstream water security.

The conversation also explores how farmers adapt cropping patterns under seasonal water constraints and why cities like Pune must identify and protect recharge zones to secure their future.

Vivek Grewal is the managing partner with the Technical Consulting programme at WELL Labs. He has around 9+ years of experience in the water sector. He is passionate about taking the science of hydrology to the grassroots organisations.

Pavan Srinath is the Managing Partner for Communications and Development at WELL Labs. Pavan is a communications and public policy professional who has spent over 14 years working in Bangalore's not-for-profit sector.

This episode is essential viewing for anyone working on groundwater management, watershed development, agriculture, or urban water planning in peninsular India.

The WELL Labs Show features rich conversations on water, environment, land and livelihoods, from the people and partners of WELL Labs. Hosted by Pavan Srinath, each episode explores complex environmental and social issues and helps you understand the systems and the dynamics better.

For all references and further readings related to the episode, visit https://welllabs.org/twls-vivek-grewal-pt2/

Subscribe to the WELL Labs YouTube channel @welllabs and watch all episodes on the official playlist here(https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrHB5gd1QIB_5Bt9nGOQkQRhbeXBEtU7M&si=c7D6GbQKA-8JWiNN)

Recording by Nabina Chakraborty and Vraj Acharya. Video editing by Ranjith Kumar S. Graphics and artwork by Aparna Nambiar and Kanishka Goyal. Podcast production and management by Nabina Chakraborty and Pavan Srinath.

Environmental Engineer Deepthi Nagappa joins host Pavan Srinath to unpack what really happens to wastewater after we flush the toilet. The conversation explores how sewage treatment plants work, the difference between grey water and black water, what septic tanks actually do, and what nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus do to our ecosystems.In the fifth episode of The WELL Labs Show, Deepthi takes us inside the science and engineering of wastewater treatment - from microbes and sludge to aeration tanks, filtration systems, and the operational challenges that determine whether an STP succeeds or fails.

Deepthi Nagappa⁠ is a Senior Research Associate in the Urban Water programme at WELL Labs, with expertise in water quality management, she has worked on lakes in and around Bengaluru, and on safe water reuse in decentralised STPs.Pavan Srinath is the Managing Partner for Communications and Development at WELL Labs. Pavan is a communications and public policy professional who has spent over 14 years working in Bangalore's not-for-profit sector.This episode is essential viewing for anyone working on urban water management, sanitation, environmental engineering, sustainability, or anyone curious about the invisible systems that keep cities clean and lakes alive. The WELL Labs Show features rich conversations on water, environment, land and livelihoods, from the people and partners of WELL Labs. Hosted by Pavan Srinath, each episode explores complex environmental and social issues and helps you understand the systems and the dynamics better. For all references and further readings related to the episode, visit https://welllabs.org/wastewater-treatment-explained-with-deepthi-nagappa/ Subscribe to the WELL Labs YouTube channel @welllabs and watch all episodes on the official playlist here.

Recording by Nabina Chakraborty, Vraj Acharya and Ritik Pathak. Video editing by Vraj Acharya. Graphics and artwork by Aparna Nambiar. Podcast production and management by Nabina Chakraborty and Pavan Srinath.