Identification of potential groundwater zone for urban development

Abstract An accurate groundwater level prediction approach is needed for more efficient and ideal planning when using groundwater resources, especially during dry and low water periods. Groundwater levels are highly nonlinear and complex due to the influence of topography, meteorology, geomorphology, hydrology, geology, and human activities. A strategy and in-depth knowledge of groundwater potential availability are prerequisites for planned sustainable urban development. This study used a Geographic Information System (GIS) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Four thematic layers were used in GIS to identify groundwater potential zones: slope gradient, rainfall, soil type, and land use/cover. Using weighted analysis in ArcGIS software, all thematic layers were combined to provide a combined groundwater potential map of the study area. Groundwater potential zones were created using ArcGIS 10.8 spatial analysis tools on an overlay of all thematic maps. Groundwater conditions were used to determine the GIS analysis criteria, and each information layer was ranked and weighted accordingly. Finally, groundwater recharge zones were selected and classified into very high, high, moderate, low, and very low based on the cumulative weighted values. The results of the study showed that around 0.2% (4.7 ha) of the area was in the deficient category, 45.8% (1,392 ha) was in the high category, 28.4% (463 ha) was in the medium category, 1.7% (52 ha) was in the low category, and 23.9% (725 ha) was in the very high category.