Optimization of DRASTIC model by statistical nonparametric methods

Assessing the vulnerability of groundwater is an effective tool to identify vulnerable areas and conservation activities in order to maintain water quality in these areas. DRASTIC method has been used for vulnerability assessment more than other methods in scale area. The weakness of this method is estimating the weights of the model parameter. The aim of this research is to optimize the weights of DRASTIC model by using statistical nonparametric method. In this regard, the appropriate inputs of DARSTIC model were collected from Dezful area, and then vulnerability of the groundwater of this area was determined based on the primary weights of the model parameters. The final weights of the parameters were optimized using nonparametric test and the concentration of the nitrates in Dezful area. Results show better performance of optimized DRASTIC model than original DRASTIC model.