Assessment of the Impact of the Deep Wells Utilization on Groundwater Level Decline (2000-2023): A Case Study of Hazarat Sultan District

Abstract

 Groundwater resources, following polar glaciers, are considered the second-largest source of freshwater globally. Monitoring changes in groundwater levels is critically important for sustainable planning and management in any region. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of deep wells on the decline of groundwater levels in the Hazrat Sultan District from 2000 to 2023. This research is applied in nature and employs an analytical approach. The required data were collected through interviews and field surveys, including statistics and information from 65 observation wells during the time intervals of 2000, 2010, 2020, and 2023. After organizing and processing the exploratory data, changes, and subsidence in groundwater levels were analyzed using the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation model within the ArcGIS software environment. The findings indicate that groundwater level fluctuations ranged from 0 to 60 meters. According to the IDW interpolation maps, groundwater levels across the entire study area have shown a declining trend, with significant subsidence observed. On average, the groundwater level in Hazrat Sultan District decreased by 27 meters over the 23-year statistical period. This consistent downward trend across all time intervals underscores the urgency of the issue and demands serious attention from relevant authorities and responsible institutions.