Calibrating DRASTIC using field measurements, sensitivity analysis and statistical methods to assess groundwater vulnerability

Abstract

The objective of this research is to indicate how the vulnerability potential to pollution may be assessed more accurately by correcting both the ratings and weights of the parameters used in the popular EPA DRASTIC method. In order to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method, the Astaneh Aquifer located in northern Iran was selected. Nitrate concentrations were used to correlate the pollution potential in the aquifer to the DRASTIC index. The results indicated that the modified DRASTIC was significantly superior to the original method.