Groundwater, found beneath the Earth’s surface, is stored in tiny spaces within soil, sand, and rock formations known as aquifers. It originates from rain and other surface water that seeps down through the soil, filling these underground spaces. Groundwater is a critical resource, contributing to drinking water supply, agriculture, and river flow during dry periods.
Protecting groundwater from contamination is essential, as polluted groundwater is difficult and costly to clean. Proper management and monitoring are vital to ensure this valuable resource remains safe and sustainable for future use. Groundwater resources are often not visible, making them vulnerable. Pabitra et al. (2024) reported that groundwater resources in the Himalayas including Bhutan face challenges from climate change, increased variability in rainfall patterns, overuse, and poor management. These factors lead to depletion, affecting water availability for communities and agriculture, and exacerbating water scarcity issues.
In Bhutan, groundwater could be increasingly threatened by various pollutants from agrochemicals, leachates from dumpsites, and chemicals from stormwater runoff. Additionally, hydr...
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