- English
Groundwater pollution in Rajasthan, India, poses significant challenges due to the region’s
heavy reliance on this resource for drinking and irrigation. Given the increasing water scarcity and
overexploitation, this study assesses the susceptibility of groundwater pollution in this semi-arid
area. We applied and compared vulnerability mapping methods, DRASTIC and SINTACS, and their
modified versions. These methodologies considered various geological and environmental factors
such as depth-to-water table, recharge, aquifer conductivity, soil, and topography. The modified
versions also integrated land use and temperature data for enhanced sensitivity. Validation was
achieved by comparing contaminant data from the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), India,
focusing on primary contaminants such as fluoride, nitrate, chloride, and total dissolved solids
(TDS). The results strongly align with the modified methodologies and observed groundwater ion
values. Specifically, more than half of the 300 sample points analyzed indicated TDS values exceeding
the permissible 300 ppm limit, with over 80 points surpassing 500 ppm. The vulnerability was
classified into the following five categories: very low; low; medium; high; and very high. Notably,
30.53% of the area displayed “very high” vulnerability under the modified DRASTIC model. Districts
like Jalore, Pali, Sirohi, and Jodhpur emerged as highly vulnerable zones, while areas within
Udaipur, Kota, and Jaipur, among others, showed very high vulnerability. This research highlights
the importance of conducting groundwater vulnerability assessments, especially for regions grappling
with water scarcity like Rajasthan. The findings from this research are pivotal in guiding sustainable
ground water resource management, as well as advocating continual monitoring and effective
groundwater conservation strategies in the region.
- English
