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Evaluation of riverbank water suitability

water intake sites is a critical prerequisite for ensuring suitability index system that integrates water quantity,
adequate water quantity and quality, as well as the water quality, and geological risk, using expert scoring
sustainable utilization of water resources. Developing and geographic information system (GIS)-based
a standardized and scientifically robust evaluation spatial analysis. Several studies have applied the
framework for site suitability not only enhances the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to derive indicator
reliability of planning and decision-making but also weights and conduct multi-criteria evaluations – such
contributes to long-term water resource management. as Jafar et al., who conducted a comparative analysis
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Despite increasing research attention, a universally of different water sources, and Yang et al., who
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applicable and practically implementable assessment proposed a comprehensive system with 28 indicators
system is still lacking. to assess drinking water source suitability under
International research in this field began relatively legal and environmental constraints. Muktadir et al.
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early, with a primary focus on hydrogeological processes, further developed a suitability model based on river
pollutant attenuation mechanisms, and sustainable morphological and hydrodynamic indicators.
management of river–aquifer interactions. In terms However, a critical review of the literature reveals
1-3
of methodology, process-based numerical simulation several research gaps. First, existing studies often adopt
models have been extensively used in Europe and location-specific or empirical indicator systems, which
North America to quantify surface water–groundwater lack generalizability and standardized grading schemes
exchange processes. These are often supplemented applicable to broader hydrogeological contexts.
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4,5
by hydrochemical and microbiological indicators to Second, while advanced modeling techniques are
evaluate the safety and sustainability of riverbank widely applied, there is a lack of integration between
filtration. Studies in major river basins such as the spatial analysis tools and multi-criteria decision-making
Rhine and the Danube have identified key parameters frameworks in site-level evaluations. Third, few
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influencing water intake performance, including studies systematically consider the combined effects of
riverbed hydraulic conductivity, residence time, and multiple hydrological and geological parameters in a
redox conditions. International organizations such unified suitability index, which limits the applicability
6-8
as the World Health Organization and the International of results to real-world planning and engineering
Hydrological Programme have also developed implementation. 29
comprehensive assessment frameworks that integrate To address these gaps, this study develops a
quantitative and qualitative dimensions, addressing suitability evaluation system for riverside water intake
issues of climate change adaptation and emphasizing sites tailored to the hydrogeological characteristics
the importance of long-term monitoring. 9-12 of the Weining Yellow River alluvial plain. The
Moreover, recent trends in international research system integrates eight quantitative indicators: low-
emphasize interdisciplinary integration, combining flow river discharge, riverbed sedimentation, aquifer
hydrological modeling, statistical analysis, and machine hydraulic conductivity, aquifer thickness, presence of
learning techniques (e.g., random forest and artificial continuous impermeable interlayers, river water quality,
neural networks) to improve assessment accuracy groundwater quality, and groundwater depth. Using
and predictive capacity. 13-17 Risk-based models, such the AHP to determine indicator weights and construct
as improved versions of DRASTIC, have also been a comprehensive evaluation model, the study further
employed to evaluate groundwater vulnerability in employs GIS-based spatial analysis to assess intake
intake areas, enhancing the scientific basis for site suitability across the study area. The aim is to provide
selection and water safety assurance. a scientifically grounded, spatially explicit tool for
In recent years, research on evaluation indicators and optimizing the site selection of riverside water sources,
methodologies for riverside water intake in China has thereby contributing to more sustainable water resource
expanded, especially in the context of the Yellow River, development and management.
which features unique riverbed sedimentation and
bank morphology. 18-21 Various evaluation frameworks 2. Hydrological and climatic overview of the
have been proposed, incorporating hydrogeological, study area
hydrodynamic, and environmental risk indicators. For
example, Cui et al. examined the effect of sediment 2.1. Climatic and meteorological conditions
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permeability on river recharge to adjacent aquifers, The study area encompasses a 397 km stretch of the
while Zacharie et al. developed an urban river intake Yellow River, extending from southern Changtan
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Volume 22 Issue 5 (2025) 81 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025260208