Mapping Groundwater Recharge Potential Zones in Khondalitic Terrain of India Using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques

Abstract

Accurate assessment and identification of potential zones for groundwater recharge are essential for the sustainable management and preservation of groundwater resources. This study focuses on estimating groundwater recharge in the Kandivalasa River sub-basin for the years 2016-2019 using the Water Table Fluctuation (WTF) and Rainfall Infiltration (RIF) techniques, following the guidelines provided by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). The study also involves mapping groundwater potential zones using the Multi-Influencing Factors (MIF) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods. The results indicate that the percentage of rainfall converted into groundwater recharge ranged from 8.95% to 12.5% during the study period. This provides insights into the temporal variability of groundwater recharge in the Kandivalasa River sub-basin. The AHP and MIF analyses revealed varying percentages of very poor, poor, moderate, good, and very good groundwater potential zones, highlighting the spatial distribution of groundwater potential in the sub-basin. It is important to note that this study did not include model validation, which could be considered a limitation. Nevertheless, the findings contribute to understanding groundwater recharge dynamics and identifying areas of varying groundwater potential, which can aid in effective groundwater management, recharge planning, and water resource allocation in the region. The results of this study have significant implications for sustainable groundwater resource management in the Kandivalasa River sub-basin. Future research should focus on model validation and further refinement of estimation techniques to enhance the accuracy and reliability of groundwater recharge estimates and potential zone mapping in the study area. Ultimately, this study contributes to the broader goal of ensuring the long-term sustainability of water supply systems through informed decision-making and effective groundwater management practices.