Satellite-based rainwater harvesting sites assessment for Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2024-07, Vol.31 (32), p.45399-45413
• Main Authors: Aziz, Samman, Dasti, Muhammad Y. S., Abrar, Mashal, Mumtaz, Faisal, Tariq, Aqil
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytic hierarchy process; Aquatic Pollution; Arid regions; Arid zones; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Check dams; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Farm ponds; Geographic Information Systems; Geological mapping; Hydrologic data; Information processing; Irrigation tanks; Irrigation water; Land cover; Land use; Landsat; Livestock; Pakistan; Percolation; Rain; Rain water; Rainwater recovery systems; Remote sensing; Research Article; Satellite imagery; Satellites; Site selection; Soil layers; Soil maps; Waste Water Technology; Water harvesting; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Water scarcity; Water shortages; Water Supply
• ISSN: 1614-7499; 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34195-9

Water scarcity in arid regions poses significant livelihood challenges and necessitates proactive measures such as rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems. This study focuses on identifying RWH sites in Dera Ghazi Khan (DG Khan) district, which recently experienced severe water shortages. Given the difficulty of large-scale ground surveys, satellite remote sensing data and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques were utilized. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach was employed for site selection, considering various criteria, including land use/land cover, precipitation, geological features, slope, and drainage. Landsat 8 OLI imagery, GPM satellite precipitation data, soil maps, and SRTM DEM were key inputs. Integrating these data layers in GIS facilitated the production of an RWH potential map for the region. The study identified 9 RWH check dams, 12 farm ponds, and 17 percolation tanks as suitable for mitigating water scarcity, particularly for irrigation and livestock consumption during dry periods. The research region was classified into four RWH zones based on suitability, with 9% deemed Very Good, 33% Good, 53% Poor, and 5% Very Poor for RWH projects. The generated suitability map is a valuable tool for hydrologists, decision-makers, and stakeholders in identifying RWH potential in arid regions, thereby ensuring water reliability, efficiency, and socio-economic considerations.