Skip to main content
Log in

Status of groundwater resource potential and its quality at Kabul, Afghanistan: a review

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Groundwater is an integral part of water resources. Groundwater has a vital role in water use in Kabul, Afghanistan. Nowadays, it is the only available source for water supply in Kabul city. The study aimed to comprehensively review the spatiotemporal groundwater distribution, physicochemical and bacteriological specifications of groundwater, and its consumption in Kabul, Afghanistan. Based on developed specific search terms to locate appropriate literature, the cited material is evaluated for relevance and reliability. Due to several causes, the mean annual decrease in groundwater levels between 2008 and 2016 is 1.7 m. About 33% of supply wells are not in operation due to declining groundwater tables. According to most reports, the physicochemical and bacteriological contents of groundwater in Kabul city exceeds World Health Organization (WHO) and National Drinking Water Quality Standard (NDWQS) limits. Individuals use water through four significant suppliers: Private wells, private suppliers, public water supply, and public wells. The study provides further insight into groundwater's current condition, and some recommendations are also presented to improve the sustainable development of groundwater.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

reproduced from Mack et al. 2010 using ArcGIS and Degital Elevation Model = DEM)

Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

modified from Landell Mills Ltd. 2018)

Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Reproduced from Zaryab et al. 2017 using Arc GIS and DEM)

Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

Availability of data and material

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Code availability

Not applicable.

Notes

  1. Afghanistan National Standards Authority (ANSA).

References

  • Abdeslam I, Fehdi C, Djabri L (2017) Application of drastic method for determining the vulnerability of an alluvial aquifer: Morsott - El Aouinet north east of Algeria: Using arcgis environment. Energy Procedia 119:308–317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.07.114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abijith D, Saravanan S, Singh L et al (2020) GIS-based multi-criteria analysis for identification of potential groundwater recharge zones - a case study from Ponnaniyaru watershed, Tamil Nadu, India. HydroResearch 3:1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hydres.2020.02.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Achu AL, Thomas J, Reghunath R (2020) Multi-criteria decision analysis for delineation of groundwater potential zones in a tropical river basin using remote sensing, GIS and analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Groundw Sustain Dev 10:100365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2020.100365

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adhikari RK, Mohanasundaram S, Shrestha S (2020) Impacts of land-use changes on the groundwater recharge in the Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. Environ Res 185:109440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.109440

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmad A, Cornelissen E, van de Wetering S et al (2018) Arsenite removal in groundwater treatment plants by sequential Permanganate-Ferric treatment. J Water Process Eng 26:221–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2018.10.014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ANSA (2013) National Drinking Water Quality Standard. ANSA, Kabul, Afghanistan

  • Arefin R (2020) Groundwater potential zone identification at Plio-Pleistocene elevated tract, Bangladesh: AHP-GIS and remote sensing approach. Groundw Sustain Dev 10:100340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2020.100340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arezoo TV (2020) Interview with Engineer Hamidullah Yalani, President of Afghanistan Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Corporation (AUWSSC)

  • Awawdeh M, Obeidat M, Zaiter G (2015) Groundwater vulnerability assessment in the vicinity of Ramtha wastewater treatment plant, North Jordan. Appl Water Sci 5:321–334. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-014-0194-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azimi AM, Mumtaz A, Saleh GA, Adam A (2017) Country environment profile for Afghanistan. Natioan Environmental Protection Agency

  • Banks D (2002) Guidelines for Sustainable Use of Groundwater in Afghanistan

  • Bohannon R (2010) Geologic and Topographic Maps of the Kabul South 30’ × 60’ Quadrangle, Afghanistan: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3137

  • Brati MQ, Ishihara MI, Higashi O (2019) Groundwater level reduction and pollution in relation to household water management in Kabul, Afghanistan. Sustain Water Resour Manag 5:1315–1325. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-019-00312-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Broshears RE, Akbari MA, Chornack MP, et al (2005) Inventory of ground-water resources in the Kabul Basin, Afghanistan. USGS

  • Casale F, Bombelli GM, Monti R, Bocchiola D (2020) Hydropower potential in the Kabul River under climate change scenarios in the XXI century. Theor Appl Climatol 139:1415–1434. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-019-03052-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chidambaram S, Sarathidasan J, Srinivasamoorthy K et al (2018) Assessment of hydrogeochemical status of groundwater in a coastal region of Southeast coast of India. Appl Water Sci 8:1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-018-0649-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CIA (2020) The World Fact Book. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/af.html. Accessed 30 May 2020

  • DACAAR (2011) National Groundwater Monitoring Wells Network in Afghanistan. DACAAR, Kabul, Afghanistan

  • DACAAR (2019) Hydro-geological Booklet Kabul Province. DACAAR, Kabul, Afghanistan

  • Dinh M, Hakimabadi SG, Pham ALT (2020) Treatment of sulfolane in groundwater: A critical review. J Environ Manage 263:110385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110385

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2012) Country profile-Afghanistan. Italy, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Frahmand AS (2011) GIS based Ground Water Quality Analysis in Kabul City Region. Geospatial World Forum 1–13

  • Gesim NA, Okazaki T (2018) Groundwater Quality Mapping Using Water Quality Index in the Kabul City, Afghanistan. In: Proceedings of ISER 149th International Conference, Kyoto, Japan, 9th-10th August 2018. pp 29–34

  • Habib H (2014) Water Related Problems in Afghanistan. Int J Educ Stud 01:137–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall B, Currell M, Webb J (2020) Using multiple lines of evidence to map groundwater recharge in a rapidly urbanising catchment: Implications for future land and water management. J Hydrol 580:124265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.124265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hao A, Zhang Y, Zhang E et al (2018) Review: Groundwater resources and related environmental issues in China. Hydrogeol J 26:1325–1337. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1787-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haritash AK, Mathur K, Singh P, Singh SK (2017) Hydrochemical characterization and suitability assessment of groundwater in Baga-Calangute stretch of Goa, India. Environ Earth Sci 76:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-017-6679-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haritash AK, Aggarwal A, Soni J et al (2018) Assessment of fluoride in groundwater and urine, and prevalence of fluorosis among school children in Haryana, India. Appl Water Sci 8:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-018-0691-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hashmi MZUR, Masood A, Mushtaq H et al (2020) Exploring climate change impacts during first half of the 21st century on flow regime of the transboundary kabul river in the hindukush region. J waJournal Water Clim Chang 11:1521–1538. https://doi.org/10.2166/wcc.2019.094

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayat E, Baba A (2017) Quality of groundwater resources in Afghanistan. Environ Monit Assess. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6032-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hou Q, Zhang Q, Huang G et al (2020) Elevated manganese concentrations in shallow groundwater of various aquifers in a rapidly urbanized delta, south China. Sci Total Environ 701:134777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134777

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Houben G, Niard N, Tünnermeier T, Himmelsbach T (2009a) Hydrogeology of the Kabul Basin (Afghanistan), part I: Aquifers and hydrology. Hydrogeol J 17:665–677. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-008-0377-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Houben G, Tünnermeier T, Eqrar N, Himmelsbach T (2009b) Hydrogeology of the Kabul Basin (Afghanistan), part II: Groundwater geochemistry. Hydrogeol J 17:935–948. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-008-0375-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Houben G, Tünnermeier T (2005) Hydrogeology of the Kabul Basin Part II : Groundwater geochemistry and microbiology. BGR

  • Huang G, Liu C, Li L et al (2020) Spatial distribution and origin of shallow groundwater iodide in a rapidly urbanized delta: A case study of the Pearl River Delta. J Hydrol 585:124860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2020.124860

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • JICA (2011) The study on groundwater resources potential in Kabul basin in the Islamic republic of Afghanistan final report. JICA

  • Kalhor K, Emaminejad N (2019) Sustainable development in cities: Studying the relationship between groundwater level and urbanization using remote sensing data. Groundw Sustain Dev 9:100243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2019.100243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalhor K, Ghasemizadeh R, Rajic L, Alshawabkeh A (2019) Assessment of groundwater quality and remediation in karst aquifers: A review. Groundw Sustain Dev 8:104–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2018.10.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karami S, Madani H, Katibeh H, Fatehi Marj A (2018) Assessment and modeling of the groundwater hydrogeochemical quality parameters via geostatistical approaches. Appl Water Sci 8:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-018-0641-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khan MF, Yu L, Achari G (2020) Field evaluation of a pressurized ozone treatment system to degrade sulfolane in contaminated groundwaters. J Environ Chem Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2020.104037

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • KMARP (2017) Kabul managed aquifer recharge project preparation. In: KMARP. https://kmarp.com/home. Accessed 2 May 2020

  • Krishna Kumar S, Logeshkumaran A, Magesh NS et al (2015) Hydro-geochemistry and application of water quality index (WQI) for groundwater quality assessment, Anna Nagar, part of Chennai City, Tamil Nadu, India. Appl Water Sci 5:335–343. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-014-0196-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landell Mills Ltd (2018) Environmental Due Diagence report on Proposed Pilot MAR Sites 3,4 and 6 Part 1 of 3

  • Lashkaripour GR, Hussaini SA (2008) Water resource management in Kabul river basin, eastern Afghanistan. Environmentalist 28:253–260. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-007-9136-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lentswe GB, Molwalefhe L (2020) Delineation of potential groundwater recharge zones using analytic hierarchy process-guided GIS in the semi-arid Motloutse watershed, eastern Botswana. J Hydrol Reg Stud 28:100674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2020.100674

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mack TJ, Chornack MP, Taher MR (2013) Groundwater-level trends and implications for sustainable water use in the Kabul Basin, Afghanistan. Environ Syst Decis 33:457–467. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-013-9455-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mack TJ, Akbari MA, Ashoor MH, et al (2009) Conceptual Model of Water Resources in the Kabul Basin, Afghanistan. USGS

  • Mack TJ, Chornack MP, Coplen TB, et al (2010) Availability of Water in the Kabul Basin, Afghanistan. USGS

  • Mack TJ, Chornack MP, Verstraeten IM (2014) Chapter 11 Sustainability of Water Supply at Military Installations, Kabul Basin, Afghanistan. pp 199–226

  • Mack TJ (2018) Chapter 2 Groundwater Availability in the Kabul Basin, Afghanistan. In: Mukherjee A. (eds) Groundwater of South Asia. Singapore: Springer, Singapore. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd., pp 247–255

  • Malik VK, Singh RK, Singh SK (2010) Impact of Urbanization on Groundwater of Gurgaon District, Haryana, India. Int J Rural Dev Manag Stud 5:45–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Malyar I (2017) A Review of Current and Possible Future Relations in Kabul River Basin. Duran Publications, Kabul, Afghanistan

    Google Scholar 

  • Masoom MF (2018) Artificial Recharge of Groundwater as a Management Tool for the Kabul Basin. Louisiana state University, Afghanistan

    Google Scholar 

  • Mengistu HA, Demlie MB, Abiye TA (2019) Review: Groundwater resource potential and status of groundwater resource development in Ethiopia. Hydrogeol J 27:1051–1065. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-019-01928-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MoEW (2017) The plan to identify surface and groundwater resources for sustainable drinking water supply for Kabul city (in persian language). MoEW

  • Naik PK, Tambe JA, Dehury BN, Tiwari AN (2008) Impact of urbanization on the groundwater regime in a fast growing city in central India. Environ Monit Assess 146:339–373. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-007-0084-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niard N (2005) Hydrogeology of the kabul basin part III: Modelling approach conceptual and numerical groundwater models. BGR

  • Niu B, Loáiciga HA, Wang Z et al (2014) Twenty years of global groundwater research: A Science Citation Index Expanded-based bibliometric survey (1993–2012). J Hydrol 519:966–975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2014.07.064

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noori KMA, Nasimi MN (2019) Kabul City Groundwater and Need for Artificial Recharge. Proc 4th Int Conf Civil, Struct Transp Eng https://doi.org/10.11159/iccste19.215

  • NSIA (2020) Estimation-Population-Final-Year 2020

  • Oroji B (2019) Groundwater vulnerability assessment with using GIS in Hamadan-Bahar plain. Iran Appl Water Sci 9:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-019-1082-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paiman Z, Noori AR (2019) Evaluation of Wastewater Collection and Disposal in Kabul City and Its Environmental Impacts. Mod Environ Sci Eng 5:451–458. https://doi.org/10.15341/mese(2333-2581)/05.05.2019/012

  • Patel PM, Saha D, Shah T (2020) Sustainability of groundwater through community-driven distributed recharge: An analysis of arguments for water scarce regions of semi-arid India. J Hydrol Reg Stud 29:100680. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2020.100680

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pell Frischmann (2012) Afghanistan Resource Corridor Development: Water Strategy Final Kabul River Basin Report Version 4.0

  • Prabhu MV, Venkateswaran S (2015) Delineation of Artificial Recharge Zones Using Geospatial Techniques in Sarabanga Sub Basin Cauvery River, Tamil Nadu. Aquat Procedia 4:1265–1274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqpro.2015.02.165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qureshi AS (2002) Water resources management in Afghanistan. International Water Management Institute

  • Qutbudin I, Shiru MS, Sharafati A, et al (2019) Seasonal Drought Pattern Changes Due to Climate Variability: Case Study in Afghanistan. Water

  • Rahmani H, Anuar AN (2019) Challenges and resolutions for sustainable domestic wastewater management in Kabul City, Afghanistan. Int J Eng Adv Technol 9:1394–1401. https://doi.org/10.35940/ijeat.A1222.109119

  • Rhimi O, Murakmi K (2017) Rooftop rainwater harvesting and its efficiency in Kabul new city. 土木学会論文集G (環境) 73:25–30

  • Sadat-Noori SM, Ebrahimi K, Liaghat AM (2014) Groundwater quality assessment using the Water Quality Index and GIS in Saveh-Nobaran aquifer. Iran Environ Earth Sci 71:3827–3843. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2770-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saffi MH, Jawid A (2013) UNHCR public drinking water points analysed water quality data evaluation in DACAAR

  • Saffi MH, Kohistani AJ (2013) Water Resources Potential, Quality Problems, Challenges and Solutions in Afghanistan. DACAAR

  • Saffi MH (2007) Ground water resources at risk in Afghanistan. DACAAR

  • Saffi MH (2011) Groundwater natural resources and quality concern in Kabul Basin, Afghanistan Scientific Investigation Report in Afghanistan. DACAAR

  • Saraswat C, Kumar P, Dasgupta R et al (2019) Sustainability assessment of the groundwater quality in the Western India to achieve urban water security. Appl Water Sci 9:1–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-019-0956-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sayed Mir Agha M, Kamarul Azlan Mohd N, Mohammed Sanusi S et al (2020) Urban Flooding in the Northern Part of Kabul City : Causes and Mitigation. Earth Syst Environ. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41748-020-00165-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Selvakumar S, Ramkumar K, Chandrasekar N et al (2017) Groundwater quality and its suitability for drinking and irrigational use in the Southern Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu, India. Appl Water Sci 7:411–420. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-014-0256-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Senanayake IP, Dissanayake DMDOK, Mayadunna BB, Weerasekera WL (2016) An approach to delineate groundwater recharge potential sites in Ambalantota, Sri Lanka using GIS techniques. Geosci Front 7:115–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2015.03.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shokory JAN, Rabanizada E (2020) Sustainable household water-saving and demand management options for Kabul City. IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/511/1/012003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singaraja C (2017) Relevance of water quality index for groundwater quality evaluation: Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu, India. Appl Water Sci 7:2157–2173. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-017-0594-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Srinivas Y, Aghil TB, Hudson Oliver D et al (2017) Hydrochemical characteristics and quality assessment of groundwater along the Manavalakurichi coast, Tamil Nadu, India. Appl Water Sci 7:1429–1438. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-015-0325-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taher MR, Chornack MP, Mack TJ (2013) Groundwater Levels in the Kabul Basin, Afghanistan, 2004–2013. USGS

  • Tünnermeier T, Houben DG (2005) Hydrogeology of the Kabul Basin Part I: Geology, aquifer characteristics, climate and hydrography. BGR

  • Uhl WV, Tahiri MQ (2003) An overview of groundwater resources and challenges. Uhl Uhl, Baron, Rana Associates, Inc., Washington Crossing, PA, USA, Vincent W

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Nguyen D, Ho NM, Hoang KD et al (2020) An investigation on treatment of groundwater with cold plasma for domestic water supply. Groundw Sustain Dev 10:100309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2019.100309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Varol S, Davraz A (2015) Evaluation of the groundwater quality with WQI (Water Quality Index) and multivariate analysis: a case study of the Tefenni plain (Burdur/Turkey). Environ Earth Sci 73:1725–1744. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3531-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verma P, Singh PK, Sinha RR, Tiwari AK (2020) Assessment of groundwater quality status by using water quality index (WQI) and geographic information system (GIS) approaches: a case study of the Bokaro district, India. Appl Water Sci 10:1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-019-1088-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (2017) Guidelines for Drinking water Quality fourth edition incorporating the first addendum. Geneva

  • Yeh HF, Cheng YS, Lin HI, Lee CH (2016) Mapping groundwater recharge potential zone using a GIS approach in Hualian River. Taiwan Sustain Environ Res 26:33–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.serj.2015.09.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zaryab A, Noori AR, Wegerich K, Kløve B (2017) Assessment of water quality and quantity trends in Kabul aquifers with an outline for future drinking water supplies. Cent Asian J Water Res 3:3–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang F, Huang G, Hou Q et al (2019) Groundwater quality in the Pearl River Delta after the rapid expansion of industrialization and urbanization: Distributions, main impact indicators, and driving forces. J Hydrol 577:124004. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.124004

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

No funds, grants, or other support was received.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ali Reza Noori.

Ethics declarations

Conflicts of interest

Authors do not have any conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Noori, A.R., Singh, S.K. Status of groundwater resource potential and its quality at Kabul, Afghanistan: a review. Environ Earth Sci 80, 654 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-09954-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-09954-3

Keywords

Navigation