Analytical strategies to sense water stress level: An analysis of ground water fluctuations sensing SDGs under pandemic scenario

Chemosphere. 2022 Mar;291(Pt 3):132924. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132924. Epub 2021 Nov 17.

Abstract

Groundwater fluctuation is directly linked with the consumption and wastage of water sources during the pandemic interval. That is why water resource planners directly target water resource and sanitation systems in line with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) concept. In this study, District Multan is designated as a study area with 85 distinct station points data sets from four zones taken to pursue this massive investigation. The data sets are studied analytically and graphically to explore the relationships among critical variables like population, average water consumption, groundwater elevation, water table depth, total consumption, wastage of water during the pandemic days, etc. For in-depth analysis, the statistical approaches are employed on these massive data sets to reveal the trend among each dataset point to generate predictive models. The results revealed that groundwater reservoirs and levels are continuously declining on an annual basis in the meantime, the water consumption and extraction are increasing simultaneously. The consumption during pandemic days has been increased so much at the same time the wastage and total consumption of water is rising a lot in contrast to previous daily consumption and water demand. The coefficient of determination (R-square) values vary from 0.41 to 0.93 in this investigation. It will help the utilization of developed models and water-providing organizations to forecast groundwater instabilities for the future. Moreover, the situation in the study area is very alarming in terms of water stress conditions. This study will help the decision-making agencies to produce a policy following the SDGs concept to control water consumption and higher extraction.

Keywords: Analytical strategies; Groundwater; Water fluctuations; Water resource management; Water stress analysis; Water table.

MeSH terms

  • Dehydration
  • Groundwater*
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Sustainable Development*
  • Water Resources
  • Water Supply