Unlocking sustainable groundwater governance in secondary cities: Lessons from the assessment of groundwater vulnerability in a Coastal City of India

Groundwater contamination and vulnerability in urbanised areas have emerged as pressing
environmental concerns that require urgent and sustained attention. Certain land use practices,
such as agriculture, urban development, and industrial activities, can introduce pollutants into
the groundwater system and degrade its quality and represent a significant threat to rapidly
growing cities that requires robust intervention and management strategies. This paper investigates
the groundwater vulnerability of a coastal city, Kozhikode, located in South India. A
GIS-based mapping of the groundwater vulnerability of the region was performed using the
DRASTICA model, which is an adapted version of the conventional DRASTIC model. In addition,
an ethnographic study was also conducted to assess the groundwater governance of the city and
to suggest suitable management strategies. The study revealed that the main urban clusters in
Kozhikode City (29.2 %) are highly vulnerable to groundwater contamination indicating the
impact of anthropogenic activities in this areas. 41.78% of the area showed a moderate level of
vulnerability. The low-vulnerable zone occupies a less populated and highland area of the city,
covering an area of 28.9 %. The study utilised the concentration of nitrates in the groundwater of
the study area as a validation tool for the results obtained. Furthermore, the investigation
identified governance gaps within the city, including ineffective implementation of laws and
regulations, low levels of awareness, lack of institutional capacity and inadequate monitoring
practices, all contributing to groundwater vulnerability. To address these challenges, the study
suggests that effective groundwater management requires a multifaceted approach, involving
both technical and socioeconomic and cultural aspects. This can be achieved through collaborative
efforts, policy revisions, community engagement, and effective enforcement, which will
strive the fastest growing city toward the sustainable management of its groundwater resources.