Characterization of Surface and Subsurface Water Quality for Coimbatore Corporation Using GIS

Abstract

Water is the most indispensable fluid for all the living systems on this earth planet. The existence of this natural source is in different forms viz., surface water, groundwater, glaciers, rainfall, oceans and seas. Out of these resources, surface water and groundwater play a vital role for drinking and domestic purposes. The quality of the above water resources is very crucial to determine the sustainable health of human beings. But currently, the quality of the water that we get is very unfavourable condition and misuse of water prompts water shortage. The study area faces a lot of problem due to poorgroundwater and surface water quality. In this present research, the quality of surface water and groundwater is investigated for drinking and irrigational needs and also the potential zones of groundwater are located for sustainable development. The Coimbatore district is in the western part of the Tamil Nadu and this research work is carried out for Coimbatore Corporation. The study area is located between the latitudes N 10°54and#8242;45 and 11°6 12 ; the longitudes E 76°52and#8242;14 and 77°3and#8242;52 comprising an area of 257.06 Sq.km. The northern and southern sides of the study area have Nilgiri Reserve Forest and the Noyyal River flanked with water tanks selected for our study. The western part is encompassed by the Western Ghats and most of the eastern part is in a dry condition. The main geological features in the study area are hornblende biotite gneiss, fissile hornblende biotite gneiss and fluvial (black cotton soil with gypsum) deposits, and a minimum area covered with of granite, quartzite and garnet sillimanite. The predominant type of soil in the study region is red calcareous soil which occupies an area of 180.23 Sq.Km The geology, soil, geomorphology, drainage, slope, land use/land cover and lineament are contemplated by using the Geographic Information System to recognize the groundwater possible zones