Narrative description of Project:
The study on the groundwater utilization around the world has shown that this natural resource is already in stress due to overexploitation to meet the increasing demand and utilization due to the growing population. Nepal is also affected due to this problem. As a result, the decreasing water table/piezometric surface has been reported from many locations within the country indicating the fact that there is less recharge than the discharge through wells, especially in the Kathmandu valley. Such scenario has not been reported from the Terai and Inner Terai till date. However, such possibility in future can’t be ruled out if the groundwater drafting is continued to meet the agricultural and domestic demand. Many reporting has been made that the springs and seepages at the mountainous areas that were basically utilized for the drinking purpose has been dried in the recent time and few villages have been displaced due to water shortage. Such problem is expected to be much more severe in view of climate change condition.
In this regard, it is important to establish a methodology to explore groundwater in the mountainous terrain for better planning to avoid water deficiency problem in the mountainous area in the coming days. The present study regarding the “Spring Inventory Mapping and Identification of Probable Ground Water Potential Zones in Hilly Region insight of Mountain Aquifer Gajuri Rural Municipality, Dhading” is envisaged as one of the milestones for WRRDC to make an approach to work in the mountainous terrain from the groundwater exploration and exploitation perspectives.
Description of actual services provided in the assignment:
The main objective of the project was to collect and prepare spring inventory and catalog and to establish methodology to demarcate groundwater potential zones in the mountainous terrain with the help of remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. The groundwater potentiality information could be used for effective identification of suitable locations for extraction of potable water for rural populations.
The scope of the work is divided into two main categories, namely data collection and data analysis.
Data Collection:
Various data were collected during the desk study phase as well as from the field work. The following data were collected during the Desk study phase:
- Existing maps and reports;
- Satellite imageries of the study area;
- Digital topographic map of DoS;
- Precipitation data from DHM
Field work was carried out in selected site so as to collect the following data:
Geology of the area;
- Available springs and seepage in the area;
- Site specific geological condition around the springs;
- Major discontinuities in the area;
- Present condition of drinking water availability;
- Major source of drinking water;
- Topographical control on groundwater flow and availability;
- Geomorphological control on groundwater availability;
- Effect of land use condition on groundwater availability
The study team designed appropriate structured and unstructured questionnaires as applicable to acquire the above-mentioned information. Likewise, the relevant data were also collected from WRRDC, GWRDB, District Soil Conservation Office, Drinking Water and Sanitation Division/Sub Division Offices (DWSD), and NGOs and INGOs and other concerning Groundwater related Agencies in the area. The data collected during the desk study phase and field investigation were stored in the GIS environment so as to ease the data analysis work leading to preparation of the groundwater potential map of the area. Base on the analysis of the data, final report was prepared and submitted to the WRRDC.
Approx. value of the contract (in current NRs; US$ or Euro): NRs. 479,346.00
Duration of assignment (months): 3 months
Approx. value of the services provided by your firm under the contract (in current NRs; US$ or Euro): NRs. 479,346.00
