International Journal of Applied Environmental Sciences ISSN 0973-6077 Volume 5, Number 4 (2010), pp. 495–504 © Research India Publications http://www.ripublication.com/ijaes.htm Ground Water Quality Assessment of Srikakulam District of Andhrapradesh, India, using GIS *K. Sundara Kumar 1 , P.Udayabhaskar 2 , K.Padmakumari 3 and Ch.Kannamnaidu 4 1 Sr.Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, GMRIT, Rajam, Andhrapradesh, India 2 Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, JNT University Kakinada, Andhrapradesh, India 3 Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, JNT University Kakinada, Andhrapradesh, India 4 Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, GMRIT, Rajam, Andhrapradesh, India *Corresponding author E-mail:skkusuma123@gmail.com Abstract Groundwater quality in Srikakulam (Andhrapradesh, South India) has a special significance and needs greater attention of all concerned since it is the major alternate source for domestic, industrial and human consumption. The study area (Srikakulam) spreads over an area of 5837 sq. km falling within the semi- arid region and frequently facing water scarcity as well as quality problems. Hence, a GIS based mapping of the region has been carried out for the evaluation of ground water quality. Physico-chemical analysis data of the groundwater samples collected at predetermined locations forms the attribute database for the study, based on which, spatial distribution maps of 12 major water quality parameters are prepared using curve fitting method in Arc View GIS software. Water Quality Index (WQI) has been calculated to find the suitability of water for drinking purposes. Groundwater samples analysed show quality exceedence in terms of Electrical conductivity, Hardness, Chlorides, and TDS. The groundwater quality map shows fragments pictorially representing groundwater zones that are desirable and undesirable for drinking purposes. Keywords: Groundwater quality, Water Quality Index, Spatial Distribution, Water Quality Parameters, Geographic Information Systems.