Use of multi-criteria evaluation and Geographic Information Systems for water resources management: case of Baoule basin (North-West of Cote d'Ivoire)

The demographic growth and changes in the lifestyle of population are creating high demand for water resources all over the world. In Cote d'Ivoire, especially in the Northern part, conflicts related to access to water appear between fanners and ranchers. These conflicts are becoming more frequent due to the decrease of the availability of water. The aim of this study is to evaluate water related issues in the Baoule basin in Denguele region (north western of Cote d'Ivoire). Geographic Infonnation Systems (GIS) and Multi- criteria Evaluation (MCE) with three levels of aggregation are used to assess the sustainable water-supply index (SWI). The resulting map of the assessment of the SWI shows that the water resources of the basin are under severe pressure around the localities like Odienne, Tieme, Kaniasso and Samatiguila because of high density of population. While high sustainable water-supply index are observed in the north of the basin, where the availability of water is good. This classification of the basin is a tool for water resources management and planning in the Baoule basin.