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A GIS-expert-based approach for groundwater quality monitoring network design in an alluvial aquifer: a case study and a practical guide

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Abstract

Groundwater quality monitoring is a critical part of water management in all groundwater basins. In order to be effective and to meet the required needs, groundwater quality monitoring networks (GQMNs) must be designed to be able to operate long-term and economically without minimal disruption. The analytical hierarchical process (AHP), a multi-criteria decision-making program, was used to design a GQMN for an alluvial aquifer located in the Islam Abad plain west of Kermanshah province, Iran. This semi-arid area is subject to groundwater depletion and water quality changes. The model used 8 primary criteria sub-divided with 5 sub-criteria based on a combination of empirical data and expert opinion. The primary criteria included density of wells, well discharge, well depth, water quality (conductivity), flow direction, annual groundwater extraction, water level declines, and accessibility. The model showed that 59 of 254 production wells in the basin could provide optimal monitoring locations. When a second screening of the wells was used to determine constraints (physical conditions of the wells and pumps, owner permission of use, type of the pump, etc.), the number of wells was reduced to 13 wells. An initial round of water sampling and chemical analysis demonstrated that the design of the GQMN met the goals of the water management agency of the region.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kermanshah Regional Water Authority (KRWA), KRWA Applied Research Group, Kermanshah, Iran

    Kamal Taheri

  2. U. A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Emergent Technologies Institute, Florida Gulf Coast University, 16301 Innovation Lane, Fort Myers, FL, 33913, USA

    Thomas M. Missimer

  3. Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, P.O. Box: 98135-674, Zahedan, 9816745639, Iran

    Vajed Amini

  4. Civil Engineering Department, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran

    Jamil Bahrami

  5. Department of Range and Watershed Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Ilam University, Ilam , Iran

    Reza Omidipour

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  1. Kamal Taheri
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Correspondence to Kamal Taheri .

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Taheri , K., Missimer , T.M., Amini , V. et al. A GIS-expert-based approach for groundwater quality monitoring network design in an alluvial aquifer: a case study and a practical guide. Environ Monit Assess 192, 684 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-08646-y

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