Criteria for selection of technology to exploit groundwater in water-scarce area in Vietnam

Abstract. Water extraction solutions in the high mountainous areas of Northern Vietnam commonly include rainwater harvesting, dug wells, drilled wells, groundwater springs, and hanging lakes. However, many water supply systems operate inefficiently and lack flexibility. This study established 10 criteria for selecting groundwater exploitation technology, divided into three groups: water resources, economic and technical, social, and environmental criteria. These criteria aim to identify appropriate water extraction technologies suitable for high mountainous and water-scarce regions, ensuring the long-term and efficient operation of water supply systems. The Geographic Information System (GIS) approach was utilized, integrating the criteria using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method to select suitable water extraction technologies. The research results indicate that the evaluation criteria for determining suitable areas for implementing sustainable water extraction technologies, and the weights assigned to these criteria, ensure a consistent ratio (CR) <10 % according to the hierarchical analysis method. This article presents the results of identifying areas suitable for implementing groundwater extraction technologies using drilled wells, based on seven criteria within three groups: water resources, economic and technical, and social criteria. The GIS approach has been employed, and the criteria have been integrated using the AHP to select and determine the areas suitable for implementing groundwater extraction technologies using drilled wells.