Investigation of Babol Aquifer Vulnerability by Corrected DRASTIC Model and GIS

The best way to prevent the pollution of ground water is identifying the pollution sources and vulnerable areas then providing a suitable management practice. The aim of this study was to determine the vulnerability map for urban areas and paddy fields of Babol city to present the management options. For these purposes, the aquifer of the city was evaluated with DRASTIC model. The required parameters were provided for the hydrological system and then for considering the effects of urban areas and paddy fields, some parameters' weights and rankings in DRASTIC model were modified based on the prevailing conditions in the study area. Considering the main characteristics of the study area (urban and paddy fields) DRASTIC index was calculated and the aquifer vulnerability of Babol city that was in which showed of 127 to 174. The presence of the paddy fields which showed around the city as well as unconfined aquifer in paddy fields' domain have increased the vulnerability of the aquifer in the peripheral areas of the city. Urban, multiple urban wastewater wells and absence of a centralized sewage collection system, have provided the conditions for leakage of the pollutants into the aquifer and this has caused the urban area to be considered as a region with moderate vulnerability. It is recommended to prevent to prevent from continuing damage to the Babol aquifer by employing some management practices such as centralized sewage collection system and reducing the use of agricultural inputs in paddy fields.