Studying different method of wellhead protection area delineation using WhAEM2000 analytic model in drinking wells of Damaneh- Daran aquifer

In most parts of the country a considerable part of the drinking water are supplied by wells and groundwater resources. Water resources which used to supply drinking water are always exposed to different pollutants. Groundwater protection is one of the major concern for decision-makers that supply and distribute drinking water. Therefore, precise calculation of wellhead protection areas is very important, because performing smaller area raises the risk of contamination of wells and considering bigger areas causes disinvestment and capital losses. In this study, by using WhAEM2000 and different methods, wellhead protection area in Damaneh–Daran aquifer of Isfahan province, were estimated. The results indicate that protection area with analytic element method is more conservative than calculated fixed radius method. Thus for emergency, essential and supportive protection areas, 2, 5 and 10 years, travel times may be used, respectively. Accordingly, essential protection area of drinking wells in this region is varying from 15 to 25 hectares for well number 2 of Damaneh and Daran’s number 1 and 2 wells in the direction of groundwater flow, respectively.