Groundwater Quality Mapping using Remote Sensing and GIS – A Case Study at Thuraiyur and Uppiliapuram Block, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract

Ground water is the major source in India not only for domestic use, but also for agriculture and industrial sector. At present scenario, 85% of domestic water requirement in rural areas, 55% of irrigation water requirement of farmers, 50% of domestic water requirement in urban areas and 50% of process water requirement of industries are met by ground water. Ground water is tapped for the past two decades due to increasing demand of water and mismanagement of water resource. This leads to water scarcity. Ground water level has been falling rapidly day by day. It is very essential to start investigations oriented towards the ground water quantification and qualification which are the basic to form plans for its exploitation, management and conservation. In the present study, the authors have carried out detailed studies by using Survey of India Topographic sheet No (57 O/4) on 1:50,000 scale and Remotely sensed image data from IRS ID (LISS III) (false colour composite (FCC) of bands 321 (rgb), and Landsat 7 ETM (Enhanced Thematic Mapper) (false colour composite (FCC) of bands 457 (RGB), were visually interpreted for tone, texture, size, shape, relief, drainage pattern, vegetation association, and other factors. Field studies were also conducted and corrections were made accordingly to maps of geology, lineaments, and hydromorphogeology. Well inventory, well yield, water table level and groundwater samples were collected during field study. Finally ArcGIS tools were used for analyzing and displaying the spatial data for investigating the ground water quality information.