Groundwater for emergency situations
Monitoring network There are 82 observation wells in the aquifer, that water level fluctuations are checked monthly through them. Figure 10 shows aquifer observation wells and isopotential map of the aquifer in 2004.
Figure 10. Observation well and aquifer is potential map in the year 2004
Groundwater is mostly recharged by agricultural and municipal return flow, floods and surface runoff flows from south mountains and some direct infiltration from precipitations.
Groundwater resources According to the water budget data in 2000 (Table 1), the existing over drafting from aquifer to an amount of 183.7 MCM per year depletion resulted fall in its static level, which is projected to continue in future if the current situation extends. The data collected in 2003 from Mashhad plain (Table 2) shows, 6,319 wells have been dug for agriculture, industry and drinking purposes, from which about 1,060 MCM/year is drawn-off. Additionally there are 403 springs and 895 Qanats draining annually about 90 MCM and 85 MCM of water from the aquifer respectively. Figure 11 shows distribution of water resources within the basin. Figure 12 and 13 show unit hydrograph of the aquifer and the amount of rainfall in Mashhad plain.
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