Fuzzy-Analytic Hierarchy Process Method for Evaluating Groundwater Potentials of Aquifers (Case study: Nayshabur Plain)

Growth of industry and agriculture in the plain of Nayshabur on one hand, and drawdown of groundwater levels and reduced water quality on the other hand, has stressed the necessity of locating potential groundwater sources to put to use in this plain. The purpose of this study is to present Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process as a tool for determining suitable locations according to the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of aquifers. For this purpose, the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of aquifer such as transmission coefficient of aquifer, isodrawdown and isosalinity of the aquifer, were analyzed using available data. First, fuzzy membership function was determined for each parameters, and Index map was computed using AHP method with 0.05 Inconsistency Rate. The results showed that 55.77% of plain area has high operation capability, 8.52% of plain area has very high operation capability, 3.85% of plain area has low operation capability, and 0.42% of plain area is in the unsuitable zone. Zoning Index map indicates that south-east areas have very high and East Plains have high capabilities in pumping groundwater and can be considered as the most suitable areas for this purpose.