ASSESSMENT OF AQUIFER VULNERABILITY TO POLLUTION IN HARIDWAR DISTRICT USING OVERLAY INDEXING APPROACH

Abstract

Ground water is an important source of drinking water. Ground water is believed to be free from pollution. But the fact is that, when water percolates through the opening inside the soil and substrata it will dissolve various mineral elements as well as pollutants. Hence, areas which are prone to such contamination have to be delineated. Aquifer vulnerability studies meant for identifying areas sensitive to pollution by studying the intrinsic characteristics of soil, unsaturated zone and saturate zone. The Haridwar district of Uttaranchal state has taken up for the present study. Area is an upcoming industrial hub. Intensive agriculture is going on in the area. Haridwar district is one of the most populous districts of Uttaranchal. Combined effect of urbanization, industrialization and agricultural practices can produce contaminants.