SARK ENGINEERS & CONSULTANTS
Industrial Water Audit & Water Optimisation Services
SARK Engineers & Consultants provides engineering-led, measurement-based water audit services to help Indian industries reduce freshwater consumption, improve recycling efficiency, and maintain full regulatory compliance with the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) and State Pollution Control Boards.
As CGWA-approved water audit consultants (registered as M/s Neer), we specialise in detailed water audits for manufacturing plants, chemical units, textile mills, paper mills, and large commercial facilities. Our audits are structured to meet the current 2025–26 CGWA NOC conditions, including telemetry installation, digital flow meter specifications, NOCAP portal reporting, and annual NABL calibration requirements.
If your facility holds an active CGWA NOC — or if you are preparing for NOC renewal — a structured water audit is the single most effective way to document compliance, identify water-saving opportunities, and reduce exposure to Environmental Compensation penalties.
Before Applying for or Renewing Your CGWA NOC — Checklist
Before your next NOC application or renewal, verify the following:
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Digital flow meter is electromagnetic or ultrasonic type (not mechanical)
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Flow meter conforms to BIS/IS standards for tamper-proof digital meters
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Telemetry system is active and transmitting data to NOCAP portal
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Flow meter has been calibrated within the last 12 months by NABL-accredited agency
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Monthly abstraction reports have been uploaded via telemetry for every month of operation
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Piezometer is installed and recording monthly groundwater level data (if abstraction ≥ 10 m³/day)
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Annual groundwater quality test from NABL lab has been uploaded to NOCAP portal
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Rainwater harvesting structures are installed, operational, and documented
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Groundwater abstraction/restoration fees are paid and up to date
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Self-compliance and inspection reports have been filed on the portal for the current year
Failure on any one of these items can delay or jeopardize NOC renewal. Environmental Compensation of up to 20 times the groundwater abstraction charges can be imposed for non-compliance or delayed renewals.
Our Water Audit Services
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Our Water Audit Services Include
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Water Balance & Water Footprint Study
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Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Water Audit
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Water Recycling & Reuse Feasibility
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CGWA Groundwater Compliance Water Audit
What is a Water Audit?
An industrial water audit is a systematic evaluation of water intake, usage, losses, recycling, and discharge across a facility. The objective is to optimize water efficiency, reduce freshwater dependency, and ensure compliance with environmental and groundwater regulations.
Our water auditing services provide detailed analysis of:
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Total water intake and consumption patterns
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Identification of water leaks and wastage points
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Water balance calculations
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Wastewater generation and treatment efficiency
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Opportunities for water reuse and recycling
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Cost savings potential through water conservation
SARK Engineers conducts industrial water audits following Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) guidelines, ensuring 100% regulatory compliance for industries extracting more than 100 m³/day of groundwater.
Zero Liquid Discharge Consulting
Achieve Zero Liquid Discharge with Expert Guidance
SARK Engineers offers specialized Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) consulting services to help industries eliminate liquid wastewater discharge completely. Our ZLD solutions include:
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Feasibility Studies: Assessing technical and economic viability of ZLD implementation
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Technology Selection: Choosing optimal evaporation, crystallization, and membrane technologies
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System Design: Customized ZLD plant design for maximum water recovery (95%+ recovery)
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Cost Optimization: Minimizing capital and operational expenses
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Salt Recovery: Enabling reuse of recovered salts in industrial processes
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Regulatory Compliance: Meeting state pollution control board requirements
Benefits of Zero Liquid Discharge:
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95-100% wastewater recovery and reuse
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Reduced freshwater consumption by 80%+
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Compliance with stringent discharge norms
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Lower water procurement costs
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Sustainable water management
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Enhanced ESG and sustainability reporting
Industries We Serve for ZLD: Textiles, Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Power Plants, Food & Beverage, Mining, Dyeing Units
Water Conservation Services
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Industrial Water Conservation Strategies:
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Process optimization to reduce water intensity
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Cooling tower water recycling
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Steam condensate recovery systems
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Automated water monitoring systems
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Real-time leak detection sensors
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who needs a CGWA NOC for groundwater extraction?
All industries, mining projects, and infrastructure projects extracting groundwater through energised pumps require a CGWA NOC. This includes manufacturing plants, chemical units, packaged drinking water facilities, commercial complexes, hospitals, educational institutions, and hotels. Agricultural users drawing water through non-energised means or pumps up to 2 HP are exempted.
Q: What is the current CGWA telemetry requirement?
Under the 2025–26 framework, all CGWA NOC holders must install a tamper-proof digital water flow meter with integrated telemetry on every abstraction structure within 30 days of NOC grant. The meter must conform to BIS/IS standards, be electromagnetic or ultrasonic type, and transmit monthly abstraction data automatically to the CGWA NOCAP portal.
Q: What happens if I don't install telemetry on my borewell?
Non-installation has been penalised at up to ₹2,00,000 per facility. Continued non-compliance can lead to NOC revocation, sealing of the borewell, and disconnection of power supply. Delayed NOC application or renewal attracts Environmental Compensation of up to 20 times the groundwater abstraction charges.
Q: How often must CGWA flow meters be calibrated?
Flow meters must be calibrated annually by an NABL-accredited agency. Calibration certificates must be uploaded to the CGWA NOCAP portal within 7 days of calibration. Failure to maintain up-to-date calibration is among the most common causes of NOC renewal rejection.
Q: What is included in a CGWA-compliant water audit?
A compliance-focused water audit includes water balance verification, independent flow measurement against installed meters, leakage and loss identification, recycling quantification, piezometer data review, and audit-ready reporting aligned with NOCAP portal submission requirements and SPCB consent documentation.
Q: Is Zero Liquid Discharge mandatory for industries in India?
ZLD is mandatory for certain industries in water-stressed areas, for CGWA NOC holders in over-exploited zones, and for industries under specific NGT or SPCB directions. Textile dyeing units, paper mills, and chemical plants are most frequently directed towards ZLD. A water audit and feasibility study are the prerequisites for any ZLD implementation roadmap.
Q: How long does an industrial water audit take?
For a medium-sized manufacturing facility, on-site measurement typically takes 3–7 days, followed by 2–4 weeks of analysis, reporting, and compliance documentation. Turnaround depends on plant complexity, number of abstraction points, and whether the audit includes ZLD feasibility assessment.
Q: What is the difference between a CGWA water audit and a ZLD feasibility study?
A CGWA water audit is a compliance and efficiency assessment focused on current water use, losses, and NOC condition fulfilment. A ZLD feasibility study is a forward-looking technical-economic evaluation of eliminating liquid discharge entirely through evaporation, crystallisation, and membrane technologies. Most industries conduct the water audit first, and ZLD feasibility as a follow-on scope.
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