Determination of Priority Classes in Water Protection Zones of Lechtingen Area by GIS

Abstract: Water protection zones are mainly established for protecting different types of water sources such as surface water, coastal water, and groundwater. Many European countries use these areas to evaluate the potential contamination risk encountered by the water sources. Germany has described three different water protection zones changing with respect to the types of water sources. Zone I covers the immediate water catchment area within a radius of at least 10 meters. Zone II covers the area of zone I and distance which has been reached by the contaminant up to 50 days. Zone III is more comprehensive than others. It covers the area from Zone II to the very edge of the catchment area of the water source. Determination of priority classes in water sources is important to evaluate the risk of contamination. In this study, priority classes for nitrate leaching, which is dangerous for health if it is found higher levels in a drinking water source, in the water protection zones found in Lechtingen area of Osnabrück, Germany was determined with geographic information system (GIS). The data of nitrate leaching risk, land use, and water protection zones in that area were used to make evaluation about priority classes. As a result, almost 40% percent of the area found as a high priority against nitrate leaching.