Suitable Zones for Groundwater Tapping Stations Using Geospatial Techniques in Morogoro Urban, Tanzania

Abstract

In recent years, Morogoro Urban has experienced significant water scarcity
primarily due to rising demand and limited surface water runoff from
mountain slopes. Groundwater, therefore, offers a sustainable alternative to
the prevailing challenge. This paper uncovers suitable zones for groundwater
tapping stations using a GIS-based weighted overlay analysis (WOA), and
triangulation of data acquisition methods. Supervised classification and change
detection analyses were carried out in thematic layers. The WOA available as
a spatial analyst extension in ArcGIS 10.7 was performed to derive final maps
depicting groundwater potential zones, and suitable locations for groundwater
tapping stations. The results suggest that Morogoro Urban has three
groundwater potential zones: high (21.5%), moderate (30.2%), and low (48.3%).
Zones highly suitable for groundwater tapping stations occupy 14.4% of the
area, while moderate and low suitability zones cover 55.6% and 30%,
respectively. The high groundwater potential zones in Morogoro Urban are
mainly influenced by land use and geological characteristics. Despite much of
the area exhibiting moderate groundwater potential, the studied environment
is still conducive for the development of groundwater tapping stations. It is
recommended that groundwater development and management in Morogoro
Urban be guided by an integrated approach that combines hydrogeological
assessment with land-use planning. Town planners and river basin authorities
may potentially use the current results as a source of information in planning
and designating suitable areas for development of boreholes and wells.