Linking DPSIR Model and Water Quality Indices to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals in Groundwater Resources

The achievement of sustainable development goals in groundwater resources related to water quality issues is a critical question in many regions. This study aims to combine powerful tools for helping stakeholders and policymakers achieve sustainable development goals in groundwater resources of agricultural areas. The DPSIR (Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response) model in combination with the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment Water Quality Index and Groundwater Directive 2006/118/European Community-Threshold Values was applied using a hydrogeochemical dataset derived from the analysis of groundwater samples collected from 31 monitoring sites in an unconfined alluvial aquifer. Elevated Cl- (up to 423.2 mg L-1), NO3- (up to 180.1 mg L-1) concentration and electrical conductivity (up to 2037 mu S cm(-1)) value are observed for groundwater samples of the study area. The outcome of the "One Out-All Out" procedure revealed that the groundwater in 42% of the monitored sites is unsuitable for drinking according to the health-based guideline values established by Directive 98/83/European Community. A difficulty to achieve targets under Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 6 in the study area is revealed. The proposed response actions are reported.