Ground Water Quality Mapping

8/2/2019 Ground Water Quality Mapping

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 GENERAL

Water is the most vital requirement for mankind. Ground water constitutes a

major portion of the earth’s water circulatory system known as hydrologic cycle.

Ground water occurs in permeable geologic formation known as aquifer, i.e.

formation having structure that can store and transmit water to wells. In recent

years much progress has been made in the application of GIS techniques to ground

water. It can be utilised in numerous applications like planning, rural development

etc.

1.2 SOURCES OF GROUND WATER

Groundwater sources are the aquifers made up of porous materials with

voids or fissures formed in rocks in which the water gets stored through infiltration

from the surface during rainfall and from the water bodies. These voids of the

substrata or fissures in rocks are generally interconnected permitting the movement

of groundwater. But in some rocks, the fissures may be isolated, and thus

preventing the movement of water between the interstices. Hence, it is evident that



the mode of occurrence of groundwater depends largely upon the type of

formation, and hence upon the geology of the area.

1.3 CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER

The quality of water is determined by its physical, chemical and

bacteriological characteristics.

Physical characteristics are represented by temperature, turbidity, colour, taste,

and odour.

Chemical characteristics are represented by pH, total dissolved solids, hardness,

chloride, sulphate, fluoride, nitrate, iron, manganese etc.

Bacteriological characteristics of the water, is represented by the presence of

coliform group of organisms described by MPN(most probable number) of the

coliforms in the water sample.

Ground Surface



1.4 WATER QUALITY

Water quality is a measure of the suitability of water for a particular use

based on selected physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Quality of

water is determined by measuring and analyzing the characteristics of the water

such as temperature, dissolved mineral content, and number of bacteria. Selected

characteristics are then compared to numeric standards and guidelines to decide

about its suitability to various uses. Water quality is a relative term used to

convey the idea of the potential usability of groundwater or surface water for a

particular use.

As the rainwater flows over the surface of the earth, it picks up or dissolves

certain organic and inorganic materials. As surface water seeps down into the

ground water storage most of the suspended particles are filtered out, but on the

other hand, the water dissolves the minerals and salts present in earth’s layers

through which it travels before joining the ground water storage.

The impurities which water dissolves or picks up as suspended matter may

sometimes make it useful and potable for drinking, and sometimes they may render

it harmful and unfit. For example, certain minerals such as iron, calcium,

magnesium, fluoride etc., in small quantities may be useful and good for health of

the public. But the same minerals if present in higher concentrations than the

maximum permissible level, render water unfit for drinking. Sometimes the water

may contain toxic or poisonous substances such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium,

cyanides, lead, silver, copper etc., which may be very harmful to the public health,

even if they present in very low concentration.



1.5 SOURCES OF GROUNDWATER POLLUTION

Many practices with domestic wastewater and with livestock manure may

lead to contamination of groundwater. The water percolating from facilities such as

Septic tanks, cesspools, latrines contains viruses, bacteria and parasites and may

contaminate groundwater supplies.

Sewers in the unsaturated zone may leak sewage into the soil, and it is likely

that the extent of this problem is largely unrecognized. In the saturated zone, sewer

breaks will result in groundwater contamination.

Storm water collected in sewers that also transport domestic wastewater can

present a major problem. Other than direct discharges to water bodies (which

clearly lead to contamination), it may also be disposed of by collection in basins

and subsequent drainage to soil. This percolation may transfer pathogens to

groundwater. It is found that viruses are available in the soil 9 m below a storm

water basin (Vaugh et al. 1978). The sources of Ground water pollution along with

their health effects are given in the table 1.1.

Contami

nant

Sources to ground water

pollutionPotential health and other effects

Chloride From saltwater intrusion, mineral

dissolution, industrial and

domestic waste.

Deteriorates plumbing, water

heaters, and municipal water-works

equipment at high levels.

Contaminant

Sources to ground waterpollution

Potential health and other effects

Dissolved

solids

Occur naturally from man-made

sources such as landfill leachate,

sewage. A measure of the

dissolved “salts” or minerals in the

water.

Presence of excess concentrations

of specific substances not included

in the Safe Water

Drinking Act, which would make

water objectionable. High



concentrations of dissolved

solids shorten the life water heaters.

Fluoride Occurs widely from industry. Decreases incidence of tooth decay

but high levels can stain or mottle

teeth. Causes crippling bone disorder (calcification of the

bones and joints) at very high

levels.

Hardness Result of metallic ions dissolved in

the water; concentration of calcium

carbonate. Calcium carbonate is

derived from dissolved limestone

or discharges from operating

or abandoned mines.

Decreases the lather formation of

soap and increases scale formation

in hot-water heaters

and low-pressure boilers at high

levels.

Nitrate(as

nitrogen)

Occurs naturally in mineraldeposits, soils, seawater,

freshwater systems, the

atmosphere, and biota. Enters the

environment from fertilizer,

feedlots, and sewage.

Toxicity results from the body’snatural breakdown of nitrate to

nitrite. Causes “blue baby disease,”

or methemoglobinemia, which

threatens oxygen-carrying capacity

of the blood.

Sodium from leaching of surface and

underground deposits of salt and

decomposition of various

minerals..

Can be a health risk factor for those

individuals on a low-sodium diet.

Turbidity Caused by the presence of

suspended matter such as clay, silt,

and fine particles of organic and

inorganic matter and other

microscopic organisms.

Objectionable for aesthetic reasons.

Indicative of clay or other inert

suspended particles in drinking

water.

Contami

nant

Sources to ground water

pollutionPotential health and other effects

Color caused by decaying leaves, plants,

organic matter, copper, iron, and

manganese.

Suggests that treatment is needed.

No health concerns. Aesthetically

unpleasing.



PH Indicates, by numerical expression,

the degree to which water is

alkaline or acidic. Represented on

a scale of 0-14 where 0 is the most

acidic, 14 is the most alkaline and7 is neutral.

High pH causes a bitter taste; Low-

pH water will corrode or dissolve

metals and other substances.

1.6 APPLICATION OF GIS TO GROUND WATER

GIS is a strong tool, which stores spatial as well as non-spatial data digitally

and establishes a link between the two. Resultantly it produces not just maps but an

information system, which can retrieve, analyse and represent the stored data in

desired ways. It can be utilised in numerous applications like planning, rural

development etc. A digital database also has the advantage of easy cost-effective

updating, transparency, rationality and strength of complex analysis.

The increasing amount of multiple data sets being made available from

various sources has created a need for efficient capture, storage, management,

retrieval and analysis of geoenvironmental data to address various groundwater

pollution problems of varying nature, dimension and complexity, cropping at local,

regional and basin scale worldwide. Geographic Information System (GIS) has

emerged as an effective tool for relating and integrating vast volumes of different

data types, obtained from different sources and compiled on different scales. GIStechnology is very useful for the preparation of ground water prospective areas

mapping & management plan on a scientific basis. The information generated on

prospects, quality and depth in a single map will help the planners and decision



makers for devising sound and feasible ground water development plans.

The main advantages in using GIS techniques for ground water exploration are :

Quick and inexpensive technique for getting information on the occurrence

of ground water,

aids to select promising areas for further ground water exploration thus

reducing field work and provides information on prospects,

depth and quality in one map.

These types of information is very helpful in the areas where more emphasis

is on ground water for the irrigation and drinking purposes.

The GIS is very useful to quantify the spatial geologic data and statistical

analysis to determine the relation between groundwater quality parameters and

geological units. The advent of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) has added

new vistas in the field of ground water resources mapping and management. It

helps in the integrating remotely sensed derived data with ancillary data to havemore precise and correct information about various factors involved in the ground

water resources management. This helps in concentrating the field experts in areas

where greater potential exists and eliminating other zones, thus reducing the cost

and time involved in exploration procedures.

1.5 NEED AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

Ground water being hidden resource, is more vulnerable to various threats of

contamination and depletion. Urban growth and rapid increase in population have

induced tremendous pressure on natural resources especially for ground water.



The local pollution causes major changes in ground water quality which affects the

human health and environment. These changes cannot be measured directly and

are thus difficult to quantify. But it is essential to get data of adequate accuracy on

the quality of ground water to make mitigation measure to preserve the ground

water quality. In such case GIS based analyses for ground water quality mapping

proves to be useful. Based on the needs the following Objectives are framed:

To analyse the status of ground water quality in Virudhunagar district for

drinking and irrigation purposes using Visual Studio based on secondary

data;

To prepare Ground water quality map of Virudhunagar district using GIS;

and

To identify the most vulnerable area in terms of ground water quality.



CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.1 GENERAL

Review of literature will help in gathering information and to perceive

significance of the current status of the problem to be dealt with. Also, it helps in

understanding the studies already done regarding the problem at hand. The

applications of various methods in determining spatial distribution of rainfall over

an area were reviewed.

2.2 GROUNDWATER QUALITY MAPPING

Assessment of Groundwater Pollution (Quality) Around Ludhiana and its

Environs in Punjab was investigated by Dr. V.V.S. Gurunadha Rao and

Dr. S. Sankaran(1994). Ludhiana and Mukstar were chosen as the Study area. In

Ludhiana, they assessed the groundwater and surface water quality in and around

the industrial belt through selection of observation wells for regular monitoring.

Detailed analysis of water samples for trace elements and TDS etc was carried out.

They Evaluated the aquifer parameters and developed a geohydrological database

and developed a mathematical model to simulate groundwater flow and mass

transport for assessment of groundwater contamination. Prediction of contaminant





• Map of ground water potential.

The central groundwater board and central pollution control board(2002)

performed an assessment of groundwater quality for the purpose of mapping using

GIS. Delhi was chosen as the study area. The map is shown below.

In a similar manner, the Govt. of Haryana assessed the groundwater quality

to map the quality of water in various areas of Haryana(2003). This is shown as

follows.



This paper mainly deals with the preparation of Integrated Ground Water

Resource (IGWR) map indicating ground water prospects, quality and depth. The

main hydrogeomorphic units mapped are alluvial plain, alluvial plain with sand

cover, valley fills, interrmontane valley/basin, structural hills, residual hills,

buried pediments, linear ridges along with lineaments. Each geomorphic unit is

assessed for probable ground water potentiality. Depth to water table and well

location data has been collected from Ground Water Cell, Department of

Agriculture, Haryana. The prepared hydrogeomorphology, ground water quality

and depth maps have been digitized in Arc/Info GIS environment. In order to

provide more useful information on ground water resources, the authors have



developed a methodology on integrated ground water resource map on 1:50,000

scale using remote sensing and conventional data in GIS environment. The

IGWR map thus prepared gives information on ground water potential, quality

and depth to water level at any given location. This information was very useful

in narrowing down the target areas for citing bore wells. This will result in

significant saving of time and cost.

Geographic Information System and groundwater quality mapping in

Panvel Basin, Maharashtra, India was carried out by S. anbazhagan and Archana

Nair. Panvel Basin of Raigarh district, Maharashtra was chosen as the study area

for groundwater quality mapping using the Geographic Information System

(GIS). The study area was typically covered by Deccan basaltic rock types of

Cretaceous to Eocene age. Though the basin received heavy rainfall, it frequently

faced water scarcity problems as well as water quality problems in some specific

areas. Hence, they carried out GIS based groundwater quality mapping has been

carried out in the region with the help of data generated from chemical analysis

of water samples collected from the basin. Groundwater samples showed quality

exceedence in terms of chloride, hardness, TDS and salinity. These parameters

indicate the level of quality of groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes.

Idrisi 32 GIS software was used for generation of various thematic maps and for

spatial analysis and integration to produce the final groundwater quality map.

The groundwater quality map showed fragments pictorially representing

groundwater zones that are desirable and undesirable for drinking and irrigation

purposes.



The Figure below shows a Map of Nitrogen Dioxide Pollution prepared in

the year of 1997. London was the Study area. A team of Researchers of London

carried out this project funded by the Government.

Mapping of Arsenic in Groundwater was carried out in May 2000. Since

May 2000, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has published three maps

summarizing a national data set on arsenic in groundwater. These maps were

intended as a big-picture view of patterns in naturally occurring arsenic across the

United States. But interest in using these maps for other purposes - making cost-

benefit estimates for new drinking-water regulations or predicting arsenic-related

health risks for different regions of the country - has been intense. National

regulatory and legislative bodies needed to know which parts of the country have

high arsenic in drinking water; how serious an effect arsenic may have on public

health; and where reducing the arsenic concentrations will be most costly. Maps of



County map: Arsenic concentrations found

in at least 25% of ground water samplesin each county

Data map: 31,350 ground-water arsenicsamples collected in 1973-2001

Equal-area map: Arsenic concentrations found in at least

25% of ground-water samples within a moving 50km radius

existing water-quality data were produced to clarify these issues. The maps are

shown as follows.



Figure shows a daily flood risk map for the USA. The map is based on flood

forecasts made by thirteen Regional Flood Centres (RFCs) across the country.

Forecasts are developed on the basis of data on rainfall, the water content of lying

snow, antecedent river conditions, temperature, wind and evaporation rates.

Hydrological models such as this are used to predict likelihood of flooding,

including flash floods, and are updated twice daily.

CHAPTER 3

STUDY AREA

3.1 GENERAL



Virudhunagar District is part of the Vaippar Basin located in the Southern

part of TamilNadu. It lies between a North Latitude of 11°00’N and 12°00'N and a

East Longitude of 77°28’E and 78°50’E. Virudhunagar District is landlocked on all

sides with no direct access to the sea. It is bound on the north by Madurai, on the

north-east by Sivaganga, on the east by Ramanathapuram and on the south by

Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts.

Physiographically it consists of two distinct regions. The eastern slopes of

the Western Ghats in Srivilliputtur and Rajapalayam taluks and the black soil

plains of Sivakasi, Virudhunagar, Sattur, Aruppukkottai, Tiruchili and Kariapatti.

The average height of the hills of the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats is

1500m, though a few peaks rise to 1700m. The Total Geographical area of

Virudhunagar district is 4243 Km2.

Match factories at Sivakasi, Sattur ,Virudhunagar; Fire works ,Off-set

Printing Presses at Sivakasi; Nib Industry at Sattur; Ginning, Spinning & Weaving

Mills, Rajapalayam; Madras Cements, Thulukkapatti; Tamilnadu Cements,

Alangulam; Tamilnadu Asbestos, Alangulam; Bolts and Nuts (T.V. Sundaram

Fastners) Aaviyur are some of the important Industries in the district.

3.1.1 DISTRICT MAP OF VIRUDHUNAGAR



3.1.2 RIVER SYSTEM OF VIRUDHUNAGAR DISTRICT

Virudhunagar does not have any perennial rivers. The Vaippar, Arjuna nadi,

and Gundar constitute the river network of the District. Numerous streams and

rivulets, activated by the monsoon, feed these rivers. The Mandiri odai and

Girudhamal nadi flow into the Gundar, which irrigates the northeastern region of

the District. The Sengundrapuram odai, Kausika manadi, Uppodai and

Mannarkottaiyar are feeder streams of the Arjuna nadi, which flows through the

central portion of the District. The Kayalkudiyar and Nichepa nadi join the

Vaippar, which runs through the southern part of the District. The Arjuna and the

Vaippar meet at Irukkangudi.

3.1.3 CLIMATE

The climate of the region is semi-arid tropical monsoon type. It has a high

mean temperature and a low degree of humidity. The temperatures range from 20°

C to 37° C. April, May and June are the hottest months of the year. Virudhunagar



receives scanty rainfall with an annual average of 812 mm. The South West

monsoon which sets in June and lasts till August brings scanty rain. The bulk of

the rainfall is received during the North East monsoon in the months of October,

November and December.

3.1.4 IRRIGATION

The most striking feature of this drought prone district is absence

of dependable irrigation sources such as perennial rivers. Though 33% of

the cultivated area is classified as irrigated area, assured irrigation is

available only for 57% through the wells, the remaining area being

irrigated by rainfed tanks. Two reservoirs, namely Periyar and Kovilar at

Pilavakkal in Watrap irrigate about 3800 hectares through 40 tanks.

There are ir rigation reservoir like Anaikootam, Kullursandai,

Vembakottai and Golwarpatti.

The details of Reservoir systems in the district are :

Pilavukkal Reservoir System, Anaikuttam Reservoir Scheme, Vembakottai

Reservoir; Kullursandai Reservoir, Golwarpatti Reservoir, Chennampatti Anicut;

Athikulam Anicut Scheme, Ambalathadi Anicut Scheme, Irukkankudi Reservoir

Project; Nagariar Reservoir near Sasthakoil, Nilayur Extension Canal.

3.2 INDUSTRIES



The establishment of textile mills, cement factories and a number of

industries in the small and medium sectors coupled with the

encouragement given by the state Government in the form of incentives

and setting up of industr ial centres has accelerated the rate of

industrialization in the District.

Cotton is a major commercial crop of the District and the cotton industry

therefore occupies an important place in the economy. Rajapalayam is the chief

centre for spinning mills and ginning factories. Surgical cotton and bandage cloth

are manufactured here. Textile mills in the produce a variety of cotton yarn. As the

District has deposits of limestone and gypsum, the cement industry has gained a

strong foothold.

Tamil Nadu Cements – a Public Sector undertaking at Alangulam

and Madras Cements – a Private Sector undertaking at Thulukkanpatti

are two large cement producing units. Tamil Nadu Cements has an annual



production capacity of 4 lakh tonnes of Portland cement while Madras

Cements has an annual capacity of 4.15 lakh tonnes.

Tamil Nadu Asbestos is another Public Sector unit in the District

producing asbestos cement sheets .

Sivakasi and Sattur are famous for the match industry. There are

over 4500 match units. Crackers and fireworks is another important

industry with about 400 units in the District. Explosives for blasting are

also manufactured here. Over 70% of the total production of matches and

fireworks in India is manufactured in Virudhunagar District. A large

percentage of crackers are exported. The pr inting industry was original ly

established to supply labels for the match and firework industries. Soon

the industry developed and diversified into other areas of printing like

books, posters, greeting cards and diaries. Sivakasi now offers sta te of

the art, world class printing facilities.

Sundaram Fasteners and Brakes India Ltd. , private sector enterprises

of the TVS group are located at Aviyur and Kanjanaiyakampatti in

Kariapatti taluk. The former manufactures high density bolts and nuts

while the latter manufactures automobile brakes.

CHAPTER 4

METHODOLOGY

4.1 GENERAL

METHODOLOGY

Data



Quantitative IndexQualitative Index

Preparation of

Temporal Map

Preparation of Spatial

Map

Collection of

Groundwater Quality

Data

Collection of Maps of

Study Area from

Taluk to Block

Identification of

Standards

Prepartion of

Boundary Map by

Di itisation

Grouping of

Parameters

Preparation of

Groundwater Well

Ma

A



A

4.2 GROUNDWATER QUALITY

Generally, groundwater is clear, colourless, odourless and free from physical

impurities, because it undergoes natural filtration during the process of percolation

through soil pores. But groundwater is harder than the surface water of the region

in which it occurs. Since water is a solvent for many salts and some types of

organic matters, as groundwater moves along flow lines from recharge to discharge

areas, its chemistry is altered by the variety of geo-chemical processes. These

processes may include many chemical reactions, dissolution of limestone,

oxidation-reduction reactions, ion-exchange processes, decomposition of aquifer

rocks, transport of various leachates, industrial and municipal waste products,mining wastes and salt water intrusion. Groundwater, is hence, entirely not pure.

Many of the dissolved natural substances contribute to human health enhancement

by providing essential nutrients, while many contaminants introduced in the natural

Comparison withStandards Using

Visual Studio

Analysis of Results

Conclusion



hydrological system by humans or otherwise are associated with wide range of

potential environmental health hazards.

4.3 WATER QUALITY STANDARDS

4.3.1 The Central Public Health Environmental Engineering Organisation

(CPHEEO)

Recommended Guidelines for physical and chemical water quality standards

as per CPHEEO Manual on Water supply and treatment are furnished in Table1

and the bacteriological water quality standards are furnished in Table2.

Table 4.1. Recommended guidelines for physical and chemical parameters

Characteristics

Acceptablity by

consumers

Cause for

rejection

Colour (units on platinium Cobalt scale) 5 25

Taste and Odour Unobjectionable Objectionable

Ph 7.0 to 8.5 < 6.5 or > 9.2

Total dissolved solids(TDS) (mg/L) 500 2000

Total Hardness (as CaCO3)

200 600

Chloride (mg/L) 200 1000

Sulphate (mg/L) 200 400



Flourides (mg/L) 1 1.5

Nitrates (mg/L) 45 45

Calcium (mg/L) 75 200

Magnesium (mg/L) < 30 150

Iron (mg/L) 0.1 1.0

Manganese (mg/L) 0.05 0.5

4.3.2 WHO’s Latest Standard Guidelines for Potable Water


Organism Guideline Value

pH Preferably < 8.0 (Between 6.5 – 8.5)

Hardness 500 mg/l (as CaCO3)

Total Dissolved Solids 1000 mg/l

Sodium 200 mg/l

Chloride 250 mg/l

Fluoride 1.5 mg/l



4.3.3 Indian Standard Drinking Water Specifications (IS 10500 : 1991)


Substance

or characteristic

Requirement (Desirable

limit)

Permissible limit in the

Absence of Alternate Source

pH 6.5 - 8.5 No relaxation

Total hardness mg/l 300 600

Chlorides mg/l 250 1000

Fluoride mg/l 1.0 1.5

Calcium mg/l 75 200

Magnesium mg/l 30 100

Sulphate mg/l 200 400

4.4 COMPARISON USING VISUAL STUDIO

The comparison of the collected Secondary data with various drinking

watrer standards such as IS, WHO, CPHEEO was designed using Visual Studio,

shown as follows.

FORM1





4.5 CALCULATION OF WATER QUALITY INDEX



The Calculation of Water Quality Index was carried out in Microsoft Excel,

shown as follows.

4.6 BOUNDARY AND WELL LOCATION MAP PREPARATION

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Ground Water Quality Mapping