Delineation of Groundwater Potential Zones Using Multicriteria Decision Analysis for Guercif (Morocco)

Abstract

Groundwater resources are depleting worldwide owing to climate change and exponential rise in population. In order to manage groundwater resources, consideration must be given to availability of the groundwater and the functioning of the aquifer system. In this regard, the present study aims to explore groundwater potential zones for Guercif, Morocco for highlighting the importance of groundwater resources management. The groundwater potential zones are investigated using multicriteria decision analysis technique in GIS software from perspectives of slope, drainage density, land use landcover, geology, soil type and groundwater levels. As per results, poor groundwater potential zones in the study area were minimum (about 1 km2) followed by excellent (257 km2), fair (632 km2), moderate (2710 km2) and good (6064 km2) groundwater potential zones, respectively. Watershed of the study area has good groundwater potential zones of about 62.75% whereas only 0.01% falls in poor groundwater potential zones. The current research concluded that estimating the groundwater potential zones using GIS and RS remote sensing techniques could saves time and money as compared to the conventional methods. The study is recommended for decisions making and managing the groundwater resources for betterment of the region in future. Therefore, the study provides critical insights for public and government sectors to understand the potential zones for sustainable groundwater utilization and management.