Groundwater Potential Zones Using Multi – Criteria Decision Making for Mirzapur, District, U.P, India

Abstract

Groundwater is one of the most prominent fresh water sources and is under significant threat due to numerous factors such as growing population, rapid urbanization, multiple cropping practices and utilizing by the major water intensive industries. The quality and quantity of groundwater sources are both affected by climate change. Climate variability also has a significant impact on the parameters that influence groundwater recharge. The fall in groundwater levels is worsened by erratic monsoon with deficit amount of rainfall occurring in combination with high heat-flow and over-exploitation of groundwater which contributes stress on the water resources. This study was conducted for Mirzapur district where the groundwater serves as the main source for domestic and agricultural purposes rather than the other sources of water. To delineate the potential groundwater zones, the following parameters were used i.e. geology, drainage density, slope, geomorphology, soil, land use and land cover and lineament density (an area can indirectly reveal the groundwater potential) are constructed as separate layers in the GIS (Geographic Information System) background. Thereafter, a weighted overlay analysis was carried out to achieve the graded potential zones using the weights computed for each layer by AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) method. In addition, the GWP map has been divided into four categories using multi criteria decision analysis (MCDA): excellent, good, moderate, and poor. The results of the study revealed that the excellent potential zone comprises of 24.4 % (1101 km2), good 40.07% (1840 km2), moderate 29.8% (1347 km2), and poor 5.1% (228 km2) of the total geographical area. Future management plans, including natural and artificial recharge practices, may be made effectively in these locations because the approach used yielded reliable data.