Keywords
DRASTIC
Susceptibility Index
groundwater governance
nitrates
Kinshasa
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction
Water shortages and rapid population growth force residents in Kinshasa to rely heavily on groundwater. However, inadequate governance and management of this resource pose severe public health risks to consumers.
Purpose
This study mapped and evaluated the intrinsic and specific vulnerability of the aquifer system within the Funa catchment using Geographic Information System (GIS)-based DRASTIC and Susceptibility Index (SI) models to inform local and regional groundwater governance.
Methods
Physicochemical and parametric methods—including standard DRASTIC, land-use calibrated DRASTIC (DRASTICLU), and SI models—were implemented using ArcGIS 10.5. The input datasets comprised hydrogeological, climatic, topographic, and land-use parameters. In situ nitrate concentrations were sampled from 36 boreholes to validate specific vulnerability maps. Model validation and accuracy were further assessed using map removal sensitivity analysis, single-parameter sensitivity analysis, convergence analysis, and coincidence rates.
Results
The standard DRASTIC model classified the study area into three vulnerability zones: low (34.37%), moderate (54.56%), and high (11.07%). The SI model identified four vulnerability zones (low, moderate, high, and very high), with 83.46% of the area categorized as high. The DRASTICLU model also delineated four classes, identifying 8.40% of the catchment as very high vulnerability. The coincidence rate between observed borehole nitrate concentrations and vulnerability classes was 41.70% for the DRASTICLU model and 33.30% for the SI model.
Conclusion
The low-lying plain areas exhibit the highest aquifer vulnerability due to shallow water tables, gentle topographic slopes, and intense anthropogenic pressure. The relatively low coincidence rates reflect uneven spatial distribution of monitoring wells and localized differences in well construction and management. Establishing structured groundwater governance and management frameworks at local, regional, and national levels is strongly recommended.
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