Assessment of banning indexes for aquifers using a GIS

Abstract

A method based on sustainability criteria for the assessment of banning indexes (a method for restricting new water resources exploitation) is described as a strategy to manage and operate aquifers. The data was organized in a geographic information system (GIS) and the processing of the data involved map algebra. The variables considered were: well density, extraction volume, chemical quality of the water, chemical quality of the soil, piezometric abatement and subsidence. The study surface was 2 x 2 km wide. The obtained values oscillated between 6 and 20 points. According to that established by the Ley de Aguas Nacionales (National Waters Law), three banning levels are proposed: rigid, flexible and controlled. The map obtained of the banning indexes for the Chapala Cienaga shows that approximately 30% of the area is located in flexible banning levels, which indicates that there are no justifiable conditions to impose total restrictions on the authorization of new exploitation.