Groundwater potential evaluation in erode district, Tamilnadu, using GIS and remote sensing

Abstract

Water is the prime natural resources, a basic human need and a precious national asset. It is indeed required in all aspects of life and health for producing food, industrial activities, energy generation and maintenance of environment and sustenance of life and development. Water is invariably polluted in all countries. India is no exception to this phenomenon. Groundwater is the cheapest and most practical means of providing water to small communities. In India, more than 80% of the rural populations depend on groundwater. Once the groundwater is contaminated, its quality cannot be restored by stopping the pollutants from the source. It therefore becomes essential to regularly monitor the quality of groundwater and to device ways and means to protect it. In TamilNadu, there has been a phenomenal increase in the development of groundwater during the post independence period. Consequently, declining trend in water table condition is noticed in almost all places and this creates concern among the all water users. This is true in the case of Erode district also. Hence in this research work, groundwater potential in Erode district and its useablity for drinking and irrigation purposes is determined. Erode district has an aerial extent of about 8161.91 km2. The present study covers all plain area of the district excluding hilly and reserved forest areas (5492.19km2). The study area is located between 10035 and 1200 North latitude and 76050 and 77050 East longitude and 171.91 meters above mean sea level. It is positioned in Northwestern part of Tamil Nadu. The average rainfall in Erode district is 660.10 mm. iv The study area base map was generated from the Survey of India (SOI) Toposheets. The slope and drainage maps were also generated from SOI Toposheets on 1:50,000 scale. Then drainage density was also estimated.