Evaluation of Groundwater Level Fluctuation and Its Effects on Industries in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj, Bangladesh

Abstract

This study investigates groundwater level fluctuations and their industrial implications in Shahzadpur Upazila, Sirajganj, over a ten-year period (2015–2024). Secondary data were obtained from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) and Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and analyzed using standard hydrogeological methods. The study area lies within the Jamuna–Karatoya floodplain, under a subtropical monsoon climate with distinct pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons. The average annual rainfall is approximately 1610 mm, while the population of Shahzadpur stands at 601,633 (BBS). Climatic analysis shows average maximum and minimum temperatures of 30.1°C and 19.5°C, respectively. Relative humidity peaks during July–August and reaches its minimum from November to February. Groundwater depth varies seasonally, ranging from 5.90 m in the pre-monsoon to 2.40 m in the post-monsoon period. These fluctuations are driven primarily by recharge–discharge processes, with high evaporation intensifying water table decline during March–April. Despite seasonal variability, the groundwater system generally maintains a state of dynamic equilibrium. Integration of well data, hydrographs, and climatic variables reveals distinct patterns of groundwater fluctuation. These patterns are closely associated with industrial water abstraction, irrigation demand, seasonal rainfall distribution, and urban expansion. Findings indicate an increasing strain on groundwater resources, driven by industrial intensification and compounded by climate variability and urban growth. Such pressures present risks to the long-term sustainability of groundwater reserves. The results underscore the vulnerability of industrial operations to groundwater depletion and variability. Disruptions in supply may lead to operational inefficiencies, economic losses, and environmental degradation. The study highlights the urgent need for sustainable groundwater management strategies to balance industrial development with environmental resilience in the Shahzadpur region.