Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment using GIS-Based Drastic Method in NUST H-12, Islamabad

Abstract

Groundwater is the most cost-effective natural supply of drinking water in both urban and rural regions, but it is being damaged because of rapid population expansion and industrial development. To estimate groundwater vulnerability, we used a GIS-based DRASTIC model in a populous urban region of NUST H-12 Sector Islamabad. The DRASTIC index approach is used to estimate the intrinsic vulnerability of an aquifer. The data necessary for all seven parameters, namely depth to water table, net recharge, aquifer media, soil media, topography, the impact of the vadose zone, and hydraulic conductivity, were gathered through literature studies. Using the indices collected by the DRASTIC approach, a cumulative vulnerability map was created. For the research area, the DRASTIC model yielded values ranging from 64 to 91. The degree of susceptibility for the research region is classified as extremely low to low vulnerability according to the criteria. The findings of this study can be utilized to increase groundwater resource sustainability through efficient land-use management.