Study region: North district of Delhi, India. Study focus: The North district of Delhi has mostly shallow water levels and is a groundwater surplus region in contrast to the over-exploited aquifers of the region. The surface runoff and flood waters during monsoon season in the district either causes water logging in lower elevation areas or they join drains and rivers as rejected recharge. This study aims to understand groundwater dynamics of the region in perspective of the aquifer architecture and proposes groundwater management options to meet local water requirements. New hydrological insights in the region: Three distinct hydrogeological domains are identified with subtle differences in groundwater occurrence. Insights are obtained in stream–aquifer interaction and baseflow to the Yamuna River is quantified. The salinity enrichment in groundwater has been attributed to water logging in clay rich formations under semi arid condition. The viability of limited dewatering of shallow aquifers and its replenishment by enhanced recharge from surface runoff and flood waters during the monsoon period have been established.