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GIS-Based Groundwater Protection Zoning and Database System

Solution Overview

This approach establishes a comprehensive groundwater management system for Huangshi through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to address severe contamination and inadequate surveying of the city's groundwater resources.[1] The initiative delineates groundwater pollution controlled areas, prevention and control areas, and ordinary protection areas while establishing a centralized groundwater database for the municipality.[1][2][3] The quantity, quality, and storage capacity of groundwater are the main factors that affect the safety of drinking water in Huangshi, making this systematic approach essential for protecting water resources.[1]

Technical Components

The system utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to create spatial delineations of three distinct groundwater protection zones: pollution controlled areas, prevention and control areas, and ordinary protection areas.[1][2][3] The database construction follows the spatial database construction standard formulated by the China Geological Survey and cites existing state standards or professional standards to ensure orderly and standardized management.[6] The technical infrastructure supports comprehensive surveying capabilities to map groundwater conditions across the municipality and establish a centralized groundwater database for Huangshi.[4][5]

Implementation Details

The Huangshi Municipal Ecological Environmental Bureau leads the groundwater protection action plan, with supporting departments including Huangshi Municipal Water Conservancy and Lake Bureau, Huangshi Municipal Natural Resources and Urban-Rural Planning Bureau, Huangshi Municipal Bureau of Parks and Woods, Huangshi Development and Reform Commission, Huangshi Health Commission, and counties, cities, and districts at different levels.[1] The implementation aims to tighten regulations for groundwater pollution and implement anti-seepage management in key areas including petrochemical production enterprises and industrial parks.[1] The Huangshi Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau carries out necessary anti-seepage treatment for key areas of hazardous chemicals, industrial production, storage, and sales enterprises.[1] The project also promotes the deodorize waste transfer station project and creates percolation and disposal projects as part of the comprehensive groundwater protection strategy.[1]

Benefits and Impacts

The accumulation of tailings and waste rock in Huangshi degrades valuable land, soil, and groundwater quality, making this systematic protection approach critical for environmental restoration.[7] Underground mining in Huangshi can lower groundwater levels, reducing water availability, which this initiative addresses through comprehensive monitoring and protection zones.[7] According to the 2018 China's Water Resource Bulletin, only 23.9% of shallow groundwater met the criteria for drinking water supply sources nationally, highlighting the urgency of groundwater protection measures.[8]

Climate Adaptation Relevance

This groundwater management system addresses climate adaptation by protecting critical water resources that face increasing pressure from both industrial contamination and climate-related stresses. The comprehensive surveying and zone delineation approach enables targeted protection of drinking water sources in areas where groundwater quantity, quality, and storage capacity directly affect water security.[1]

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