GEOG 596A

DRASTIC
GROUNDWATER
VULNERABILITY MAP OF
TENNESSEE
James Bond Capstone Proposal

Overview of Presentation

Introduction
Methodology
Anticipated Results & Problems
References

INTRODUCTION

Introduction

My Project

DRASTIC Groundwater Vulnerability Map of

Tennessee

DRASTIC

What is it?

Identifies areas where groundwater is susceptible

to pollution

What are the applications?

Guides land development & resource protection
Flexible

Used at a variety of scales

Can be modified to include or exclude parameters

Example DRASTIC
Map

METHODOLOGY

DRASTIC Overview

DRASTIC methodology guided by EPA

Developed by EPA & National Water Well

Assoc.
600+ page guidance document
Link to Guidance:
http://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=20

007KU4.txt

Purpose Over large areas, used to

identify regions where groundwater is
more or less susceptible to impact from
pollution.

DRASTIC Overview Cont.

Overview of DRASTIC

Simplified GW vulnerability model

Qualitative
Produces a relative-risk scale
Applicable over large areas
Used as a screening tool
Results guide land development & resource
protection
For small, specific sites, more detailed
assessment needed

DRASTIC Method
Assumptions

DRASTIC Makes Four Assumptions:

1.

2.

3.
4.

Contamination is introduced at the ground

surface
Contamination is flushed into the
groundwater by precipitation
Contamination has the mobility of water
Area being evaluated is 100-acres or larger

If these assumptions are not met, then

DRASTIC is not the appropriate
methodology

DRASTIC Factors
Seven hydrogeologic factors used. They
form the acronym DRASTIC
D Depth to Water
R Net Recharge
A Aquifer Media
S Soil Media
T Topography
I Impact of Vadose Zone Media
C Hydraulic Conductivity of Aquifer

Weights & Ratings

Significance of each factor in

contaminant transport varies
Relative weight is assigned to each factor

Scale of 1 to 5
1 is least important factor
5 is most important factor

Each factor also has a rating applied

according to a category or range of
values.

DRASTIC The Equation

Once ratings and weights have been

applied, they are multiplied and added
DRASTIC equation:
DrDw + RrRw + ArAw + SrSw + TrTw + IrIw + CrCw = Pollution
Potential

r = rating
w = weight

Results are symbolized on a map

overlaying study area

Methodology - Example

Example of how ratings and weights are

applied
Will use D Factor (Depth to Water) as
example
D receives a weight of 5

It is very significant in potential impact to

GW

Based on actual depth to groundwater, D

also receives a rating.

Methodology Example
Cont.

If depth to water was 10 ft then D rating

would be 9
DrDw = 9 x 5 = 45

If depth to water was 100 ft, then D rating

would be 2
DrDw = 2 x 5 = 10

This process is repeated for each of the

factors

Capstone Process

Data Analysis Process

Self-Imposed Project
Parameters

Due to time constraints, need to impose

parameters on the analysis
Use unmodified version of method
Use existing datasets as much as possible
To fill datagaps will use the easier of two
approaches:

Derive missing data from other existing data

Use generalized values in EPA guidance

ANTICIPATED RESULTS &

PROBLEMS

Anticipated Results

State of TN groundwater vulnerability

map
Detailed report of methodology and data
used
Map will be technically correct

Considered FINAL within context of

capstone project
Considered DRAFT by public and
professionals who may use it

Anticipated Problems

Low Resolution Data

Missing data

Anticipate using only small scale data

Not all inputs may be available
May have to infer data or use generalized
inputs

Room for improvement

Analysis can be easily re-run with better data

Better data = better results
Additional refinement outside the scope of this
capstone project

Summary

Summary

Project to produce groundwater

vulnerability map of Tennessee
Has not been done for Tennessee
Use EPA DRASTIC vulnerability
methodology
Use small scale, publicly available data
Result will be a first cut at groundwater
vulnerability mapping
Model will have room for refinement

Outside the scope of this project

Q&A

Questions?

Thank you

REFERENCES

References
U.S. EPA DRASTIC Guidance Document

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 1987, DRASTIC: A Standardized

System for Evaluating Ground Water Pollution Using Hydrogeologic Settings,
EPA/600/2-87-035, Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory, Ada, OK 74820
Examples of the Application of DRASTIC

Arthur, Jonathan D., et al., 2005, Florida Aquifer Vulnerability Assessment (FAVA):
Contamination Potential of Floridas Principal Aquifer Systems, Division of Resource
Assessment and Management, Florida Geological Survey

Chowdhury, Shafiul, et al, 2003, Comprehensive approach of groundwater resource

evaluation: a case study in the Chippewa Creek watershed in Ohio, The Ohio Journal
of Science, December 2003

Crider, S.S., 1989, A Cursory Application of DRASTIC to the Savannah River Site,
WSRC-RP-89-744, DE92 009778, Division of Engineering Fundamentals, Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburgh, VA 24061-0218

Evans, Barry, et al, 1990, A GIS-Based Approach to Evaluating Regional Groundwater

Pollution Potential with DRASTIC, Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, March-April,
pp. 242-245

Rupert, Michael G., 1999, Improvements to the DRASTIC Ground-Water Vulnerability

Mapping Method, USGS Fact Sheet FS-066-99, Department of the Interior, US
Geological Survey, Denver, CO 80225