Groundwater quality characterization using GIS and artificial neural network, in Namakkal district, "Tamilnadu"

Abstract

Water is the precious and the most essential resource that is required for the very existence of life. The largest available source of fresh water lies underground. Groundwater occurs very commonly and its distribution beneath the earth s surface is wide. The developments in any nation require water for their growth in industry, agriculture and in water supply schemes. The water supply schemes to meet these demands from surface water resources are not adequate. The reasons are such as exploitation, deforestation, monsoon failure, etc. Hence the techniques for investigating the occurrence and movement of groundwater have been improved. The present study attempts to assess the groundwater quality of an area which is mostly dependent on groundwater for all its needs. Namakkal district has been chosen as study area. Namakkal is known all over the country for its role in poultry and cattle farms. The district has a population of 15 million. The average rainfall of the district is 670 mm. The water samples were collected at random locations covering all the plain area of the district. The base map of the study area was developed from the Survey of India (SOI) Toposheets. The sample locations were marked on the base map. The geology, geomorphology, soil types, physiography, drainage, landuse/land cover, rainfall, water level and rainfall maps of the study area have been digitized using GIS. It is recognized that the most appropriate method which is readily available now for the improvement of groundwater quality through dissolution is artificial recharge. The various aspects of artificial recharge were studied and a design methodology for artificial recharge system has been formulated based on the local hydrological conditions. A Design program ARD PRO.1.0 in C language has been developed to carry out the designs for artificial recharge.