Assessment of Groundwater Vulnerability Using GIS-Based DRASTIC Technology for the Basaltic Aquifer of Burhner Watershed, Mohgaon Block, Mandla (India)

Groundwater (GW) vulnerability is foundation stone for evaluating the risk of GW contamination and developing management options to preserve the quality of GW. The concept of GW vulnerability is based on the assumption that the physical environment may provide some degree of protection for GW against human activities as well as natural contamination. The main objective of this study is to find out the GW vulnerable zones in Burhner watershed using the DRASTIC model in a geographical information system environment. Determination of DRASTIC index involves multiplying each parameter weight by its site rating and summing the total. On the basis of DRASTIC index values, a GW vulnerability map was prepared using Arc GIS 10 platform. Based on the results of the GW vulnerability assessment, the study area was divided into three zones: Low vulnerable zones ranging from 92 to 123 DRASTIC index with a geographical area of about 113.35 sq. km; moderate vulnerable zones ranging from 123 to 142 with 98.42 sq. km geographical area and high vulnerable zones with DRASTIC index ranging from 142 to 164 with 113.23 sq. km geographical area.