Spatio-temporal vulnerability assessment in fractured groundwater systems

Abstract

Governance reforms are required to demonstrate adaptive and resilient urban water resource management that considers complexity, uncertainty in immediate and long term change. Contamination of groundwater is a complex process and full of uncertainty at local and regional scale. The main objective of this research is the study of vulnerability to pollution in an unconfined karstic aquifer. Mainly it is addressed vulnerability integration, in relation to policy, specifically in risk evaluation and risk–benefit considerations. Development of an integrated vulnerability assessment methodology can be useful to effectively manage and protect this valuable freshwater source. The research insights suggest that the establishment of a pattern of effective governance is mandatory as the future highway, the prison and the airport are overlaying the most vulnerable areas of the aquifer and therefore provide policy makers guidance in overcoming urban water governance challenges.