Studies on Assessment of Ground Water Pollution Vulnerability Index for CUTM Campus Paralakhemundi, Odisha through Application of “DRASTIC” Model

Abstract

Nowadays, the prediction of pollution risk and the protection of groundwater is very important. The sub-surface hydro-geological environment influences the pollutant to migrate from surface to sub-surface water. So groundwater contamination can be minimized by delineating and monitoring vulnerable areas. The main objective of this paper is to find out the groundwater vulnerability index in CUTM campus, Paralakhemundi, Odisha using DRASTIC model. This model has seven hydro-geological parameters Depth of Groundwater (D), net Recharge (R), Aquifer media (A) Soil media (S) Topography (T) Impact of vadose zone (I) hydraulic Conductivity (C). Estimation of DRASTIC Index has done by multiplying each parameter weight by its rating corresponding to a particular location in the study area and summing the products of all seven parameters listed above. In order to assign the ratings, field and laboratory tests have been conducted. Based on DRASTIC index values it was observed that the vulnerability class in the study area falls between high vulnerability to very high vulnerability. The results provide important information for the local authorities and decision making personals for effective management of ground water resource. GIS software has been used for analysis and mapping the groundwater vulnerability index in the study area.