What Is a Hydrogeological Investigation? Methods, Cost, and Applications
A hydrogeological investigation provides the scientific basis for groundwater abstraction, dewatering, sustainability, and regulatory approvals across mining, industrial, and infrastructure projects.
What Is a Hydrogeological Investigation?
A hydrogeological investigation is a systematic scientific study used to evaluate the occurrence, movement, availability, quality, and sustainability of groundwater within a defined area. It forms the foundation for groundwater assessment, abstraction planning, environmental impact evaluation, and long-term water resource management.
Why Hydrogeological Investigations Are Critical
Groundwater abstraction approvals
Mining dewatering and water management
Environmental impact and regulatory compliance
Industrial water supply planning
Artificial recharge and rainwater harvesting design
Groundwater sustainability and risk mitigation
Key Components of a Hydrogeological Investigation
Desk study and secondary data analysis
Field hydrogeological survey
Aquifer characterization and lithology
Pumping tests and aquifer parameter estimation
Groundwater quality assessment
Recharge estimation and water balance
Impact assessment and risk evaluation
Groundwater Investigation Methods Used Worldwide
Groundwater investigation methods depend on geology, project scale, and regulatory requirements.
Borehole logging and lithological analysis
Pumping tests (step drawdown and constant rate)
Electrical resistivity and geophysical surveys
Groundwater level monitoring
GIS-based spatial analysis
Groundwater flow modelling (advanced projects)
Cost of a Hydrogeological Investigation
The cost of a hydrogeological investigation varies depending on study area, number of boreholes, testing requirements, duration of monitoring, and whether groundwater modelling is required.
Indicative Ranges
Small industrial sites: Low to moderate
Mining and large industrial projects: Moderate to high
Regional or basin-scale studies: High
Applications of Hydrogeological Investigations
Mining and mineral projects
Industrial and manufacturing facilities
Environmental impact assessment (EIA)
Infrastructure and urban development
Artificial recharge and conservation projects
Regulatory and compliance studies
Common Mistakes in Groundwater Investigations
Single-season data usage
No pumping tests
Generic reports
No impact assessment
No mitigation or monitoring plan
How Hydrodynamic Modeling Consultency Pvt. Ltd. Provides Solutions
Site-specific hydrogeological investigation reports
Quantified groundwater availability and sustainability
Impact assessment for abstraction and dewatering
Recharge and mitigation strategies in m³/day and m³/year
Monitoring network and compliance framework
Support for mining, industrial, and infrastructure projects