AquMADE: A GIS-based web application to assess groundwater quality by introducing a risk-based irrigation water quality index (RB-IWQI)

Abstract

Groundwater quality monitoring plays a vital role in effective water management across all groundwater basins. The provision of decision support systems can assist decision-makers in strategic planning and the conservation of groundwater resources. In this study, AquMADE—a user-friendly and comprehensive web application—is developed to integrate GIS and multi-criteria decision-making methods seamlessly for modifying the irrigation water quality index. AquMADE serves multiple functionalities. Firstly, it empowers decision-makers to import, interpolate, and visualize collected data, enabling a holistic view of the information at hand. Secondly, it offers the flexibility for decision-makers to adjust the weights of various parameters through the utilization of the analytical hierarchy process, taking into consideration their risk attitudes during the aggregation process using ordered weighted averaging method. Finally, the incorporation of sensitivity analysis methods allows for the evaluation of the impact of changes in inputs, such as criteria weights and aggregation methods, on the resulting outputs. The system underwent user testing in Khoy City, Iran, where it received positive feedback. The assessment revealed that the system performed satisfactorily in terms of functionality, interactivity, and ease of use.