Integrated groundwater management using a comprehensive conceptual framework

With increasing exploitation of groundwater resources, integrated assessment of aquifers is an essential step to maintain aquifers’ sustainability. The DPSIR-GOF (Drivers, pressures, states, impacts, responses-Goal oriented framework) combined approach is used in this study to conceptualize and identify various factors affecting the Najafabad aquifer system in Iran. Neither DPSIR nor GOF frameworks, when used separately, can consider a specific prioritization for the solutions and the proposed scenarios nor can provide a comprehensive view of the system from the past to the future. Therefore, the unique combination of the DPSIR and GOF frameworks in this study is used to conceptualize and evaluate the aquifer system from the past to the future, considering the environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainable development. To implement this combined approach hydrological data (groundwater level, evaporation rate, precipitation rate, temperature rate, etc.) and economic and social data (population rate, employment status, income level, literacy level, etc.) were used. After identifying the links and dimensions of the DPSIR-GOF framework, some scenarios are proposed to improve the aquifer’s state. Furthermore, evaluation indicators including technical indicators (aquifer sustainability and dryness) and economic indicators (productivity and cost-benefit analysis) are used to determine the performance of management scenarios and prioritize their effectiveness in restoring and sustaining the aquifer. Finally, the scenarios of 5% (R1) and 10% (R2) reduction in groundwater exploitation, as well as 10% (C1) and 20% (C2) reduction of cultivated area were introduced. Results show that a decrease in exploitations over 30 years effectively maintained the aquifer balance in all four scenarios. Scenario R2, with crop per drop, benefit per drop, and CBA of 1.62, 9.3, and 0.39, respectively, was preferred to other scenarios during the 30 years of the simulation period. Based on a 41-year sustainability index, scenario R2 performed better in reducing the impact of drought than other scenarios. Sources of uncertainties involved in this study were hydrological data including aquifer inputs and outputs, agricultural costs and crop production based on region's inflation rate. The findings can help decision-makers and managers choose the most appropriate approach and policy to obtain sustainable groundwater resource systems and maintain economic and social security.