Drinking and irrigational feasibility of groundwater, GIS spatial mapping in upper Thirumanimuthar sub-basin, Cauvery River, Tamil Nadu

In the present study, the chemical characteristics of groundwater with respect to drinking and Irrigation water quality in upper Thirumanimuthar sub-basin, Cauvery River, have been studied. 51 groundwater samples were collected and analysed for pH, conductance, total dissolved solids, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, carbonate, bicarbonate, total alkalinity, chloride, sodium, potassium, sulphate etc. The values analyzed were evaluated in detail and compared with WHO water quality standards. It is observed that, for most of the groundwater quality parameters, the values are not potable for drinking and irrigational use. To understand the spatial distribution of unsuitable zones, ArcGIS was employed. Attributes were linked and spatial interpolation mapping was done. Inverse distance weighted interpolation technique was followed for raster and vector mapping. Finally the overlay analyses were also carried out to locate the worst quality zone.