Investigating the nexus of groundwater levels, rainfall and land-use in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

• DOI: 10.1016/j.gsd.2021.100584
• Publication Date: 2021-04-21T06:37:00Z
• Authors: Rajaram Prajapati; Surabhi Upadhyay; Rocky Talchabhadel; Bhesh Raj Thapa; Brandon Ertis; Priya Silwal; Jeffrey C. Davids
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; 13. Climate action; 11. Sustainability; 0207 environmental engineering; 02 engineering and technology; 15. Life on land; 6. Clean water; 12. Responsible consumption

Globally, groundwater resources play a crucial role in supporting livelihoods and sustaining human health. Groundwater recharge is mainly influenced by the spatial distribution of rainfall patterns across basins heterogeneous geology, soil, topographical characteristics. This study evaluates implications variations land-use on level fluctuations Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. We selected analyzed data from thirty-five monitoring wells observed citizen scientists July 2017 to June 2019. Over two years, levels varied spatially −0.11m (negative sign denotes higher than ground surface) 11.5m, with mean 4.24m standard deviation 2.29m. Our results indicated strong positive correlation between levels, as fluctuation was that area. The seasonal showed direct influence monsoonal rainfall. In areas agricultural land use, 80% analysed statistically significant levels. contrast, extraction rates surface sealing limited built uses; therefore non-agricultural land-uses weak most cases. northern district, we found highly permeable sand gravel have nearly constant (shallow deep land-use) year-round act potential zones for aquifer. less but porous clay silt show greater fluctuations. highlights ability citizens generate meaningful hydrogeologic datasets, importance use planning recharge. Understanding these complex relationships must form basis sustainable management rapidly declining Valley.