Evaluation Of Water Quality Status Of Kadalundi River Basin Using Geospatial Technology

Abstract

Water quality refers to the physical, chemical, biological and radiological characteristics of water, which can help to decide the suitability of a particular water sources for any desired use.  Each category is measured by various parameters/variables and the level of which varies depending on the origin of the water body, its location/geology, the climate, other environmental factors and anthropogenic influences.  In general, water quality testing is focused for assessing the suitability of the particular water sources for human consumption (drinking and other domestic uses), irrigation purposes and industrial uses.  The present study was focused on water quality assessment of Kadalundi river basin a medium river basin in Kerala. Canadian Water Qulaity Index and Geospatial Technology were used to assess the water quality and its spatial distribution in the study area in pre monsoon and post monsoon period. The study highlights the places of poor quality, moderate and good quality of water based on the selected samples. A spatial study of the observed samples indicates that in the lowland area in Kadalundi river basin the condition of water quality is not suitable for drinking and domestic purpose. The field survey justifies the reasons supporting the result of water quality index in the selected observed areas. The study can be further used for hydrology and river basin management and planning purpose related to Kadlaundi river basin.