International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 4, Issue 9, September-2013 1856 ISSN 2229-5518 IJSER © 2013 http://www.ijser.org Groundwater quality mapping of PTU-1 watershed in Akola district of Maharashtra India using geographic information system techniques Khadri, S.F.R Chaitanya Pande and Kanak Moharir Department of Geology, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati-444602 (MS) email:syedkhadri_62@yahoo.com Abstract Spatial variations in ground water quality of PTU-1 watershed in the Akola district of Maharashtra India have been studied using geographic information system (GIS) technique. GIS, a tool which is used for storing, analyzing and displaying spatial data is also used for investigating ground water quality information. For this study, water samples were collected from 8 of the bore wells and open wells representing the entire watershed area. The water samples were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters like pH, TDS, Na, Fe, Cl and NO3, using standard techniques in the laboratory and compared with the standards. The ground water quality information maps of the entire study area have been prepared using GIS technique for all the above parameters. The results obtained in this study and the spatial database established in GIS will be helpful for monitoring and managing ground water pollution in the study area. Key words: Groundwater pollution, drinking-water, physico-chemical parameters, spatial interpolation. Introduction Groundwater is one of earth’s most vital renewable and widely distributed resources as well as an important source of water supply throughout the world. The quality of water is a vital concern for mankind since it is directly linked with human welfare. In India, most of the population is dependent on groundwater as the only source of drinking water supply (NIUA, 2005; Mahmood and Kundu, 2005; Phansalkar et al., 2005). The groundwater is believed to be comparatively much clean and free from pollution than surface water. Groundwater can become contaminated naturally or because of numerous types of human activities; residential, municipal, commercial, industrial, and agricultural activities can all affect groundwater quality (U.S. EPA, 1993; Jalali, 2005a; Rivers et al., 1996; Kim et al., 2004; Srinivasamoorthy et al., 2009; Goulding, 2000; Pacheco and Cabrera, 1997). Contamination of groundwater can result in poor drinking water quality, loss of water supply, high clean-up costs, high costs for alternative water supplies, and/or potential health problems. A wide variety of materials have been identified as contaminants found in groundwater. These include synthetic organic chemicals, hydrocarbons, inorganic cations, inorganic anions, pathogens, and radionuclides (Fetter, 1999). The importance of water quality in human health has recently attracted a great deal of interest. In developing countries like India around 80% of all diseases are directly related to poor drinking water quality and unhygienic conditions (Olajire and Imeokparia, 2001; Prasad, 1984). Groundwater is a valuable natural resource that is essential for human health, socio-economic development, and functioning of ecosystems (Zektser, 2000; Humphreys, 2009; Steube et al., 2009). In India severe water scarcity is becoming common in several parts of the country, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. The overdependence on groundwater to meet ever-increasing demands of domestic, agriculture, and industry sectors has resulted in overexploitation of groundwater resources in several states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, among others (CGWB 2006; Garg and Hassan, 2007; Rodell et al., 2009). Geographic information system (GIS) has emerged as a powerful tool for storing, analyzing, and displaying spatial data and using these data for decision making in several areas including engineering and environmental fields (Stafford, 1991; Goodchild, 1993; Burrough and McDonnell, 1998; Lo and Yeung, 2003). Groundwater can be optimally used and sustained IJSER