Integrated Weighted Overlay Model Using Inverse Distance Weightage for Assessing Groundwater Quality

Groundwater management is a potential solution to the global water crisis. This study assessed the groundwater quality at Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu, India in order to determine its suitability for drinking. Groundwater samples were collected and their physicochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total hardness (TH), total dissolved solids (TDS), Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42- and Cl- were determined and benchmarked with standard drinking water requirements. The variations of these parameters were presented spatially. The groundwater is generally brackish and hard; and of low alkalinity and high salinity. Consequently, the groundwater in most parts of the study area is unsuitable for drinking without treatment. It is recommended that point and nonpoint sources of groundwater pollution at Mettupalayam should be identified, monitored and managed in order to protect the groundwater resource.