Multiple thematic spatial integration technique to identify the groundwater recharge potential zones—a case study along the Courtallam region, Tamil Nadu, India

The irregular monsoonal rainfall and overexploitation of groundwater have resulted in the sharp decline of water resources in different parts across India. Various factors like geology, terrain morphology, hydrology, and hydrometeorology influence the recharge potentiality of a region. Application of remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) tools might be effective in the delineation of groundwater recharge potential zones and help towards the sustainability of groundwater resources. In this study, it was attempted to identify the groundwater recharge potential zones in the Courtallam region located at Tamil Nadu state of South India by integrating multiple thematic layers involving lithology, geomorphology, land use/land cover, slope, lineament density, drainage density, and the spatial distribution of groundwater level and rainfall through weighted overlay analysis in Arc GIS. The recharge potential was compared with the electrical conductivity of groundwater for evaluating the water quality. It was characterized the groundwater recharge potential of the study area as very poor (8.7%), poor (32.5%), moderate (37%), good (16.3%), and very good (5.5%). one-third of this area has moderate groundwater recharge potentiality and the southeastern part of the study area with good quality of water is feasible for new bore-well construction.