Emergency responses in humanitarian contexts require rapid set-up of water supply. Boreholes are often drilled where the needs are highest and not where hydrogeological conditions are most favourable. The Rapid Groundwater Potential Mapping (RGWPM) methodology was therefore developed as a practical tool to support borehole siting when time is critical, allowing strategic planning of geophysical campaigns. RGWPM is based on the combined analysis of satellite images, digital elevation models and geological maps, obtained through spatial overlay of the two main hydrogeological variables controlling groundwater potential: water availability (WA) and reservoir capacity (RC). The WA associates hydrogeomorphological features to groundwater dynamic processes, while the RC reflects estimates of the hydraulic conductivity. RGWPM maps are produced through an overlay of WA and RC with the overall groundwater potential (GWP) characterized as ‘very low’, ‘low’, ‘medium’, and ‘high’, with each zone associated to a specific water supply option. The first RGWPM map was elaborated during a drilling campaign in Northern Uganda. The average yield for the eight boreholes sited ‘with’ RGWPM was 35 m³/h versus 3 m³/h for the 92 preexisting boreholes that were sited ‘without’ RGWPM. Statistical comparison of the classified yields of all hundred boreholes with the RGWPM predicted-yield ranges revealed a good correlation for the ‘low’ GWP unit, highlighting areas where well siting for motorised systems should be avoided. A rather poor correlation of 33% was found for the ‘medium’ GWP unit, believed to be artificially induced by the numerous hand pumps (low yields) located in potentially higher yielding areas.

人道主义背景下的应急响应需要快速建立供水。钻孔通常在需求最高而不是水文地质条件最有利的地方钻孔。因此，快速地下水潜力测绘 (RGWPM) 方法被开发为一种实用工具，可在时间紧迫时支持钻孔选址，从而可以对地球物理活动进行战略规划。RGWPM 基于卫星图像、数字高程模型和地质图的组合分析，通过控制地下水潜力的两个主要水文地质变量的空间叠加获得：可用水量 (WA) 和水库容量 (RC)。WA 将水文地貌特征与地下水动态过程相关联，而 RC 反映了水力传导率的估计值。RGWPM 地图是通过 WA 和 RC 的叠加生成的，总体地下水潜力 (GWP) 以“非常低”、“低”、“中”和“高”为特征，每个区域都与特定的供水选项相关联。第一张 RGWPM 地图是在乌干达北部的一次钻探活动中精心制作的。“使用”RGWPM 的八个钻孔的平均产量为 35 m³ /h 与 3 m ³ /h 相比，对于 92 个“没有”RGWPM 的现有钻孔。所有一百个钻孔的分类产量与 RGWPM 预测产量范围的统计比较揭示了“低”GWP 单元的良好相关性，突出了应避免机动系统选址的区域。发现“中等”全球升温潜能值单位的相关性相当差，为 33%，据信是由位于潜在高产地区的众多手动泵（低产量）人为诱导的。