Assessment of groundwater potential through vertical electrical sounding at Haji Rehmatullah Palari village, Nooriabad

The study was conducted to assess the groundwater potential at Haji Rehmatullah Palari village aquifer, Union Council Sari of Kalu Khuhar along M-9 Motorway near Nooriabad, Sindh, Pakistan, through vertical electrical sounding (VES) by using Schlumberger electrode array method with 02–210 m. The collected data of 12 VES were interpreted by using IPI2win software. Monsoon rainfall period is very short, which starts from July to September (every year in Pakistan). Average rainfall is 150 mm with variation of 25 mm, in some year zero rainfall. During summer season, the evaporation and transpiration rate are about 70%, while the infiltration rate is 15%. Kalu Nadi (hill torrent) is the only source of recharge of this aquifer that depends on the rainfall. Lithological logs interpreted that mostly aquifers are present in sandstone lithology of Nari Formation which hold these freshwater aquifers having minimum 50 m thickness and have great potential for freshwater exploitation. Lithological logs interpreted that mostly aquifers persist in sandstone lithology of Nari Formation which hold the freshwater. Totally, five tube wells were installed at this aquifer and discharging the freshwater of about 98.55 million gallons per year and rapidly depleting the aquifers. Water business is also observed at this aquifer which was breaking influenced on the aquifer without considering the agricultural development to protect the environment. The aquifer is under pressure to drawdown and may suffer with its quantity and quality, if this trend continues.