Geospatial Data Analysis Using Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process to Delineate Groundwater Potential Zone in a Semi-arid Hard Rock Terrain

Delineation of groundwater potential zone (GWPZ) is the fundamental need to achieve sustainable development/management of groundwater resources. The hybrid approach of geospatial data analysis using fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) is a very potent application which can effectively delineate GWPZ. The present research is carried out with an aim to evaluate the applicability of this hybrid method towards groundwater sustainability in semi-arid hard rock terrain of South Indian shield region, Mahabubnagar district of Telangana. Geomorphology, lineament density (LD), lithology, landuse, slope, soil texture, drainage density (DD) and rainfall are used as controlling thematic variables. The derived result classified the study area into five distinct GWPZ namely, very poor, poor, moderate, good and very good GWPZ. Around 70% of the study area falls under moderate to very poor GWPZ, whereas only around 30% of the study area is falling under good to very good GWPZ. Research authenticity is carried out by comparing well yield data with GWPZ index (GWPZI). Critical parameter overall quality percentage (OQP) (81.75%) value demonstrated very good prediction accuracy.