GIS based multi-criteria decision making to identify regional groundwater potential zones: a critical review

A comprehensive review of the use of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) techniques to identify groundwater potential zones (GPZ) and recharge zones (GRZ) is presented. This review covers the techniques used by previous and concurrent researchers, as well as the trade-offs involved in each technique. This information is intended to provide prospective researchers with a better understanding of the potential of MCDM for efficient water management and water security. Water management can be made effective and efficient by adopting processes such as groundwater recharge, artificial groundwater recharge, aquifer storage, aquifer recovery, greywater management, and other related methods. To manage naturally available water, it is essential to identify potential groundwater areas, recharge zones, and artificial recharge zones. Identifying GPZ/GRZ is an essential input for decision-making processes that aim to improve groundwater levels. These zones are identified based on geological, hydrological, and topographical factors, and can be used to develop a scientifically sound decision support system. MCDM is a popular method and is compatible with GIS tools to identify and assess criteria for suitable zones. In the study a prevailing trend of utilisation of similar type, with a notable one or two specific approaches by scholars is observed. The paper explores the methods used in MCDM for identifying GPZ/GRZ. The focus is on how these methods are implemented within scholarly work. The paper also presents strengths, weakness and popularity of each method among researchers providing a straightforward overview.