Remote Sensing Imagery Integrated with GIS Tools for Enhanced Aquifer Delineation and Long-Term Groundwater Resource Sustainability Planning

The integration of remote sensing imagery with Geographic Information System (GIS) tools offers a transformative approach to aquifer delineation and long-term groundwater sustainability planning, addressing critical challenges in water-scarce regions. This paper presents a comprehensive methodology that leverages multispectral satellite data from platforms like Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2, alongside digital elevation models, to extract thematic layers such as geomorphology, lineament density, soil permeability, and drainage patterns. Through GIS-based weighted overlay analysis using the Analytic Hierarchy Process, these layers are synthesized to produce high-resolution maps of groundwater potential zones, accurately delineating aquifer boundaries with validation accuracies exceeding 85% against field hydrogeological data. The approach not only enhances spatial precision in identifying high-yield areas but also incorporates sustainability metrics, including recharge potential and climate variability projections, to formulate adaptive management strategies like artificial recharge siting and extraction zoning. Results from a hard-rock terrain case study demonstrate that 28% of the area qualifies as high-potential, guiding policymakers toward preventing overexploitation and ensuring intergenerational equity in groundwater resources. This framework proves scalable for diverse hydrogeological settings, promoting resilient planning amid urbanization and climate change pressures.