Remote Sensing & GIS Integration Bases Evaluation of Ground Water Quality in Telangana State, India

Abstract

About 85% of drinking water needs in rural and 40% drinking water needs in urban areas are met from groundwater resources in Telangana state. There is a huge demand of ground water for different uses like agriculture, drinking and industrial purposes as the command area is very low in the state and it is evidenced by the fact that around 70% irrigation is dependent on ground water sources as compared to other surface sources like Tanks/Canals/Reservoirs etc. Climate change has affected the hydrological cycle with uncertain and increased variability in rainfall followed by with high rainfall in a short span of time resulting more surface runoff which ultimately decreases there charge to groundwater. Decreased recharge to the groundwater and excess withdrawal of groundwater has accelerated the depletion of groundwater resources there by resulting in stress on groundwater regime in terms of quality as well as quantity. The groundwater quality evaluation of Telangana state is carried out by using legacy quality data (2012-14) collected from Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Department, Government of Telangana. Contamination spread of groundwater is one of the most important concerns that have received attention at regional, local and global levels because of their importance on public health and its further impact in ecosystems. The spatial distribution of chemical parameters like pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Hardness (TH), Total Alkalinity (TA), Fluoride (F), Chloride (Cl), Iron (Fe), Nitrate (NO3) and Sulfate (SO4) are examined with respect to its contamination level. The spatial distribution and concentration of chemical elements is carried out by using spatial interpolation technique namely Inverse Distance Weightage (IDW) method from the point source data. The distribution maps reveal important information to understand the hot spot areas of the groundwater systems and for identification of potential areas for providing safe drinking water supply. Site specific water conservation and artificial recharge measures are needed to be taken up with scientific lines by using Remote Sensing & GIS techniques, for enhancing the groundwater storage and also improving its quality.