Spatial Distribution of Groundwater Quality Parameters in Amaravathi Region—A GIS and Remote Sensing Approach

Abstract

Groundwater is the most important natural resource required for drinking to many people around the world, especially in rural areas. The resource cannot be optimally used and sustained unless the quality of groundwater is assessed. The study described here uses geographic information system (GIS) technology to map groundwater quality for drinking and construction, utilizing data generated from chemical analysis of water samples collected from the area under study. In this work, we are going to study various geographical features of Amaravathi by collecting different types of data related to ground water. All this data is used to interpret a map and digitize it with the help of Q-GIS software. Using GIS contouring methods, spatial distribution maps of pH, TDS, TH, Cl, HCO3, SO4, NO3, Ca, Mg, Na and K, have been created. Form this map one can easily assess the quality of water present at various places of this area and also it helps in taking decision of what are the improvements that are to be made in the water usage and its quality. The physico-chemical results were compared to the standard guideline values as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking and public health in order to have an overview of the present groundwater quality.