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<p>Groundwater is a vital source of water for many urban areas in the Kashmir Valley, India. However, its quality is increasingly threatened by a combination of natural processes and anthropogenic induced activities. Despite its importance, detailed studies on the groundwater contamination, its drivers, and the impacts remain limited due to data scarcity. This study highlights the declining groundwater quality in the region and links it to climate change—such as rising temperatures and decreasing precipitation—as well as growing anthropogenic pressures, including urbanization, industrial development, and improper disposal of municipal solid waste. Between 2015 and 2021, the groundwater levels have dropped significantly, particularly in the central urban zones like Regal Chowk and Rainawari, primarily due to over-extraction and reduced recharge. Water quality assessments reveal that 40% of samples fall into the fair to marginal category, 43% are good, and only 17% are classified as excellent. Among the sampled springs, 82% fall below the excellent category, and 12% of wells exhibit poor to marginal quality. The CCME-WQI map (Water Quality Index developed using the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment methodology)&#xa0;indicates that the central and southern urban areas are particularly vulnerable to&#xa0;groundwater contamination. This heightened susceptibility is attributed to factors such as high population density, intensive industrial activity,&#xa0;shallow water tables, and proximity to contaminated surface water bodies like Dal Lake. Moreover, the observed decline in natural recharge and&#xa0;the rising rates of groundwater extraction in these areas are expected to further compromise the deeper aquifers over time, increasing their long-term&#xa0;vulnerability. Moverover, the presence of harmful substances such as fluoride, iron, and nitrates in the groundwater poses serious health risks, particularly in the areas that depend on unfiltered water supplies for drinking purposes. Addressing these challenges requires integrated groundwater management strategies, improved governance, and coordinated action by the stakeholders to ensure long-term water security in the region.</p>

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Declining Groundwater Quality in Urban Kashmir, India: Impact of Climate Change and Human Activities

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月13日

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  • Riyaz Ahmad Mir,
  • Farooq Ahmad Dar,
  • Rayees Ahmed,
  • Rayees Ahmad Pir,
  • Khurshid Ahmad Lone

摘要

Groundwater is a vital source of water for many urban areas in the Kashmir Valley, India. However, its quality is increasingly threatened by a combination of natural processes and anthropogenic induced activities. Despite its importance, detailed studies on the groundwater contamination, its drivers, and the impacts remain limited due to data scarcity. This study highlights the declining groundwater quality in the region and links it to climate change—such as rising temperatures and decreasing precipitation—as well as growing anthropogenic pressures, including urbanization, industrial development, and improper disposal of municipal solid waste. Between 2015 and 2021, the groundwater levels have dropped significantly, particularly in the central urban zones like Regal Chowk and Rainawari, primarily due to over-extraction and reduced recharge. Water quality assessments reveal that 40% of samples fall into the fair to marginal category, 43% are good, and only 17% are classified as excellent. Among the sampled springs, 82% fall below the excellent category, and 12% of wells exhibit poor to marginal quality. The CCME-WQI map (Water Quality Index developed using the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment methodology) indicates that the central and southern urban areas are particularly vulnerable to groundwater contamination. This heightened susceptibility is attributed to factors such as high population density, intensive industrial activity, shallow water tables, and proximity to contaminated surface water bodies like Dal Lake. Moreover, the observed decline in natural recharge and the rising rates of groundwater extraction in these areas are expected to further compromise the deeper aquifers over time, increasing their long-term vulnerability. Moverover, the presence of harmful substances such as fluoride, iron, and nitrates in the groundwater poses serious health risks, particularly in the areas that depend on unfiltered water supplies for drinking purposes. Addressing these challenges requires integrated groundwater management strategies, improved governance, and coordinated action by the stakeholders to ensure long-term water security in the region.