Unlocking sustainable groundwater governance in secondary cities: Lessons from the assessment of groundwater vulnerability in a Coastal City of India
Groundwater contamination and vulnerability in urbanised areas have emerged as pressing environmental concerns that require urgent and sustained attention. Certain land use practices, such as agriculture, urban development, and industrial activities, can introduce pollutants into the groundwater sys...
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Veröffentlicht in: | Urban climate 2024-09, Vol.57, p.102116, Article 102116 |
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Zusammenfassung: | Groundwater contamination and vulnerability in urbanised areas have emerged as pressing environmental concerns that require urgent and sustained attention. Certain land use practices, such as agriculture, urban development, and industrial activities, can introduce pollutants into the groundwater system and degrade its quality and represent a significant threat to rapidly growing cities that requires robust intervention and management strategies. This paper investigates the groundwater vulnerability of a coastal city, Kozhikode, located in South India. A GIS-based mapping of the groundwater vulnerability of the region was performed using the DRASTICA model, which is an adapted version of the conventional DRASTIC model. In addition, an ethnographic study was also conducted to assess the groundwater governance of the city and to suggest suitable management strategies. The study revealed that the main urban clusters in Kozhikode City (29.2 %) are highly vulnerable to groundwater contamination indicating the impact of anthropogenic activities in this areas. 41.78% of the area showed a moderate level of vulnerability. The low-vulnerable zone occupies a less populated and highland area of the city, covering an area of 28.9 %. The study utilised the concentration of nitrates in the groundwater of the study area as a validation tool for the results obtained. Furthermore, the investigation identified governance gaps within the city, including ineffective implementation of laws and regulations, low levels of awareness, lack of institutional capacity and inadequate monitoring practices, all contributing to groundwater vulnerability. To address these challenges, the study suggests that effective groundwater management requires a multifaceted approach, involving both technical and socioeconomic and cultural aspects. This can be achieved through collaborative efforts, policy revisions, community engagement, and effective enforcement, which will strive the fastest growing city toward the sustainable management of its groundwater resources.
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•Assessing groundwater vulnerability in Kozhikode, South India, using a modified GIS aided DRASTIC model.•The major urban clusters in Kozhikode (29.2 %) found to be highly susceptible to groundwater contamination.•Ineffective implementation of laws, lack of awareness, and inadequate monitoring contribute to groundwater vulnerability.•Effective groundwater management requires technical, socio-economic, and cultural cons |
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ISSN: | 2212-0955 2212-0955 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.uclim.2024.102116 |