Integration of geospatial techniques and AHP for groundwater potential and quality assessment in the Brahmani River Basin, India

Groundwater is one of the most significant resources that is increasingly coming under pressure due to industrialisation, rising population, and a changing climate. This study aims to evaluate this groundwater resource quality and delineate potential areas in the Brahmani River basin situated in Orissa, India, using geospatial techniques in combination with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Several thematic maps were created to depict rainfall, land use, geological features, slope, drainage density, lineaments, and soil texture, to assess the values of the Groundwater Potential Zone Index(GWPI). According to chloride, electrical conductivity, total hardness and other content in such water, it was further analysed for the development of the Water Quality Index (WQI) for each class. Almost 88% of the study area had displayed potential for moderate to good groundwater resources, whereas 44% of the region had very good water quality. The study affirmed the use of the AHP and GIS technologies for achieving sustainable groundwater management goals and also recommended that more effort be made to develop an advanced modeling technique for enhanced resource planning.