Quantitative assessment of the impact of residential rural development on groundwater recharge and pollution potential

Protection of the local groundwater environment within agricultural areas requires quantitative assessment of the impact that residential rural development has on local groundwater recharge and pollution potential. A public groundwater supply well in Southern Leavenworth County, Kansas is located in an agricultural area with increasing development. Pollution potential calculations utilized DRASTIC (Depth to water, net Recharge, Aquifer media, Soil media, Topography, Impact of the vadose zone and hydraulic Conductivity). Groundwater recharge rate calculations used WetSpass (Water and Energy Transfer between Soil, Plants, and Atmosphere under quasi-Steady State). Findings included a strong correlation (r=0.74) between the percent of increase in pollution potential and the percent of increase in recharge rates. The highest increase in overall pollution potential (8.63%) occurred within 100 meters of the groundwater well. These findings have significance with regard to improved management of land within areas of rural development