It is well known that the Capital's water table is on the decline, but what is alarming is that the rate at which it is declining has gone up sharply over the past five years. With areas in Delhi now registering an annual fall in the groundwater table by as much as 0.5 metre to 1.5 metre annually, the situation is grim, say experts. According to the ground water table map released by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), the New Delhi district has been the worst hit area, registering the sharpest fall in ground water level in the Capital. It has also been red-tagged as the worst "abuser" of ground water. What makes the situation disturbing is the fact that the district hasn't also been able to replenish ground water at the rate that it has been using it.