GIS-Based Mapping of Groundwater Level Fluctuations and Their Impact on Groundwater Potential and Assessment of Groundwater Development Stage in Bhubaneswar (BMC), Smart City, Odisha, India.

Abstract

Since groundwater is almost always available, dependable, and requires little initial investment, it is the best supply of water for many different types of users in India. Aquifer recharge capacity and other significant environmental considerations are being disregarded in some regions of the nation due to the indiscriminate withdrawal of ground water, which is becoming increasingly necessary as a dependable source of water. A reliable database on groundwater resources is important for the efficient development and management of these resources. The current study was carried out in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, India, in this regard. The study area's dynamic groundwater resources have been assessed in accordance with the recommendations of the Groundwater Resources Estimating Committee (GEC-1997), which is part of the Indian government's Ministry of Water Resources. Groundwater recharge had been estimated in this work employing the water table fluctuation method (WTFM), rainfall infiltration factor (RIF) approaches, and other conventional norms. Rainfall and water supply data for the study area had been collected from IMD, Pune & PHE department of Govt. of Odisha. Water table data were observed in 28 numbers of observation dug wells covering the study area, for a period of four years (2020 – 2023) during pre- and post-monsoon periods. The mapping of the WTF for the years 2020 to 2023 was done using ArcGIS 10.3 and their impacts on groundwater potential are studied. The minimum and maximum average water table fluctuation of all four years was found to be 0.1725 to 2.8775 mbgl respectively. The annual groundwater draft for domestic consumption is 2696.71 Ham. In the research region, it is computed that the net annual groundwater availability is 3666.89Ham., whereas the annual groundwater recharge is 4074.33 Ham. A study is done on the use of groundwater and its development stage. The research area's overall groundwater development stage is determined to be 73.54%, placing it in the semi-critical category. For improved groundwater development, appropriate monitoring systems, effective management techniques, and groundwater recharge structures are advised.