Groundwater quality assessment by analytic hierarchy process (geographic information systems-based model) in Souf region (south-east of Algeria)

Abstract

In this study, we present a method of assessing the quality of groundwater and the Complex Terminal aquifer of the Souf region, under a geographic information systems environment, using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model. 20 wells of the study area were sampled for physico-chemical parameters of water quality. These parameters were used in an AHP model to assess the vulnerability of the study area to groundwater pollution. The AHP-weighted overlay analysis was used to identify the areas under the vulnerability classes: admissible, fairly admissible, average and poor. The municipality of Ourmes suffers from alarming pollution due to the importance of agricultural activity, and the use of mineral fertilizers in an irrational manner.