Regional Optimization of Existing Groundwater Network Using Geostatistical Technique

Abstract

Groundwater management and optimized monitoring have become more significant to meet the needs and requirements of rapid increase of population. Optimized groundwater networks are rarely designed in most parts of the world. This study presents the optimization of existing network using geostatistical method for 42 observation wells in Warangal District, Telangana State. From 42 observation wells, average groundwater level fluctuation is evaluated with geology, lineament, geomorphology, recharge map, and groundwater level fluctuation map of Warangal District. These parameters are evaluated stochastically with ordinary and universal kriging methods in geographic information system (GIS). Further, semi-variogram has been performed to fit suitable theoretical model compared to the experimental model. Results of experimental models are compared from groundwater level (GWL) data with theoretical models (Gaussian, circular, exponential, and spherical). This study resulted that ordinary kriging method is suitable optimal model, and five observation wells were removed using error variance of monitoring networks. This study also explains the upgradation of existing network using multiple parameters. In this study, the proposed geostatistical method is highly effective in selecting suitable observation wells in complicated geological setup. This study concludes that 37 out of 42 observation wells are adequate for regular monitoring of groundwater.