Planning for the conjunctive use of surface and groundwater in urban areas, a case of Bhopal city/

Abstract

beings, animals, and plants on Earth. Globally, every human is entitled to the fundamental right to have physical access to safe and secure water for its use. In the context of rapid urbanization and extending human activities, one of the major challenges of urban areas is to achieve water security in the present situation. In Bhopal, known as "The City of Lakes," effective conjunctive use of surface and groundwater strategies is necessary to enhance urban water security. Despite numerous local water bodies, the current supply does not meet the needs of the growing population, leading to ongoing challenges in managing the municipal water system amid low-density development and scattered populations. In the context of increasing water scarcity, assessing the current water security of cities is crucial for developing effective conjunctive water management strategies. Water security is defined by two pillars: availability at the source and efficient supply services. This research focuses on optimizing utilization through efficient conjunctive use management. The assessment framework involves two stages: first, examining integrated urban water management (IUWM) techniques and identifying conjunctive use strategies for surface and groundwater, along with urban water security indicators. The second stage assesses the current water security status in Bhopal using remote sensing tools, starting with the collection of hydrological data such as precipitation, temperature, evaporation, land use, surface water flow, and groundwater recharge potential. Further, the third stage will be to provide recommendations and strategies for the conjunctive use of water in the study area that can be introduced as planning interventions to achieve the urban water security of Bhopal city. The results of the study enhance groundwater levels by capturing excess surface water during wet periods, improve urban water security by providing a reliable supply during dry seasons, and optimize resource allocation through conjunctive use of surface and groundwater, reducing reliance on any single source and promoting sustainable management practices. The outcomes will contribute to long-term urban water security by providing conjunctive water use strategies and recommendations for adapting to future challenges related to urbanization, climate variability, and water scarcity. Keywords: Conjunctive use, Water security, Urban water security, Urbanization, potential zone, climate variability.