A MODEL FOR EVALUATING GROUNDWATER POLLUTION POTENTIAL

Abstract

Groundwater contamination is an important environmental problem. A wide variety of pollutants contaminate the groundwater. In order to fulfil the food demand of the growing population more and more fertilizers and pesticides are being used. As a result groundwater pollution due to agricultural pollutants is increasing day by day. Keeping above in view a model has been developed to evaluate the groundwater pollution potential due to use of pesticides and fertilizers. Rainfall, land use practice, topography, soil characteristics and depth to ground water have been considered most influential parameters and hence the input to the model. The parameters have been decomposed into different levels and weightages have been assigned based on their relative influence on groundwater pollution. In assigning weightages the concept of influence matrix has been used to reduce the subjectivity. This has been done through a cascading process. The model has been implemented in an area close to Roorkee. The study shows that about 14% area is prone to severe groundwater pollution, about 61% area is prone to moderate groundwater pollution and about 25% area is almost free from groundwater pollution due to use of pesticides and fertilizers.