Determine the most appropriate strategy for groundwater management in arid and semi-arid regions, Abhar Plain, Iran

Abstract

Due to growing demand and reduction of water resources and increasing pollution of water, driven by dramatic population and economic growth, arid and semi-arid land's imminent water problems are nowadays aggravating. This study aims to determine the most appropriate management strategies for balancing the Abhar plain aquifer using the SWOT coupled with AHP technique. The results indicate that weaknesses prevail over strengths as well as threats over opportunities. The placement in the quarter of weaknesses-threats with a defensive strategy indicates the critical condition of the Abhar plain aquifer. The most appropriate solutions to achieve the goal of balancing the groundwater were prioritized by AHP method. According to results, improper management of water consumption with a weight of 72.5% is the most destructive factor in reducing groundwater resources. Among the types of consumption, the effect of an agricultural factor carries a weight of 74.2%. The exploitation of illegal wells, overdraft of exploitation license provisions of wells, reduction of precipitation and traditional irrigation methods were selected as the destructive factors causing the deteriration of groundwater resources. Also, with filling the illegal wells, changing the type of cultivation and greenhouse crops cultivation, installing a smart water meter, observance the provisions of the water exploitation license, implementing integrated pressurized irrigation systems, benefiting from suitable climatic conditions and geographical location for cultivating and developing the low-water use species and industries and on the other hand, with implementing artificial recharge to control the surface water resources and reduce abstraction from groundwater aquifers, the adverse trend of Abhar Plain groundwater resources can be controlled.

Using geospatial technologies to delineate Ground Water Potential Zones (GWPZ) in Mberengwa and Zvishavane District, Zimbabwe

“…Groundwater resource management requires a comprehensive and integrated approach that addresses countless physical and socio-economic dimensions (Einlo et al 2023). MIF and AHP provide integrated techniques involving various thematic factors to delineate groundwater potential.…”

“…The demand for groundwater resources has been steadily increasing due to erratic rainfall patterns, leading to the depletion of major surface water sources and resulting in water scarcity for both domestic and agricultural purposes. Growing demand, reduction of water resources and increasing pollution of water, driven by an increase in popula-tion and climate change, aggravate water problems (Einlo et al 2023;Yang et al 2020). Rural and urban areas in the Mberengwa and Zvishavane districts have been significantly affected by water shortages, as silting of surface water sources, such as rivers, streams, ponds, and dams, exacerbates the situation.…”