Proposal of Territorial and Environmental Planning Based on Groundwater Specific Vulnerability Zoning

The quality of groundwater is essential to sustain human and environmental activities now and in the future. However, the current intensification of anthropogenic activities has increased the magnitude of contaminant sources. When those contaminants reach a saturated zone (groundwater), their levels of presence may make their use for various purposes unfeasible. Therefore, research into the vulnerability degree is essential for estimations of potential for contamination and possible risks. This manuscript presents the results obtained by applying a parametric procedure for mapping groundwater vulnerability based on a set of attributes related to contaminant sources, transport, and natural attenuation of contaminants. In addition to vulnerability zoning, the set of attributes supports the adoption of measures and recommendations related to territorial and environmental planning guidelines and orientations about land uses. The open source Geographical Information System—QGIS open source version 3.22.4 was used for spatially integrating different attribute maps and obtaining partial indices for contaminant introduction, transport, and attenuation; hence, the specific vulnerability index. The results promoted the division of the region into six classes of specific vulnerability, namely, extremely high, accounting for around 23% vulnerability, very high (20%), moderate (24%), very low (23%), and high and low together accounting for 10%. Such categories were associated with measures and recommendations aimed at territorial and environmental planning and protection and control of environmental functions. Approximately 50% of the study area requires restrictive measures regarding buildings, sustainable drainage systems, waste disposal, chemical storage, and petrol stations, and other measures are necessary for the protection of wells and natural springs. The method employed can produce results that enable areas to be categorized and ranked in terms of specific vulnerability; however, it requires a large quantity of data and spatial details according to the scale adopted. The specific vulnerability map produced will help planners make more appropriate territorial and environmental planning decisions and risk management, avoiding groundwater contamination.