Spatial Distribution Analysis of Surface Water Quality Index Using Remote Sensing and GIS: A Case Study of Erandol (Maharashtra, India)

Abstract

Surface water is one of the essential natural resource which support the eco-system to provide a suitable habitat to many living organisms. Monitoring of surface water gives a valuable information to evaluate the water quality problems. The objective of the present study is to evaluate status of surface water quality using drinking water quality index method and spatial distribution techniques using GIS and satellite images of Erandol area (Maharashtra, India). The integrated water samples were collected from different locations and analyzed for 13 physico-chemical characteristics which were compared with the BIS permissible limits. The WQI were calculated by using standard methods of CCMEWQI and WAWQI. The geospatial tools like high resolution multispectral remote sensing data (RESOURCESAT-2, LISS IV), GIS software, and GPS were used to perform the spatial distribution analysis using different water quality parameters. The CCMEWQI and WAWQI method indicated that the both 74% of water samples were found to be in good water quality whereas 22% and 16% of fair to poor water quality respectively. The remaining samples exhibit marginal to very poor water quality. As per WAWQI, 5% of samples found to be unsuitable for drinking and fish culture purpose during monsoon, winter and summer season. The decline in water quality was due to various anthropogenic activities including discharge of untreated sewage, enrichment of water sources through surface runoff and traditional methods of irrigation, and overuse of pesticides and inorganic fertilizer.