GROUNDWATER POTENTIAL EVALUATION OF WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT, ANDHRA-PRADESH STATE, INDIA - A GIS APPROACH

Voluminous geoscientific data related to various ground-water paramete rs provide enormous scope for using the Geographic Information System (GIS) to draw meaningful conclusions on the ground-water propsects of an area. To demonstrate the efficacy of the GIS for ground-water studi es, information on the parameters controlling ground water such as lit hology, geomorphology, structure, and recharge condition of West Godav ari district were analyzed using ARC/INFO GIS, Existing maps and recor ds were used as data, An evaluation of ground-water potential and gene ration of a map showing three major hydrogeological conditions with di stinct ground-water prospects which would serve as a basic tool in the exploitation of ground-water resources of the district has resulted, The study has also revealed that the GIS techniques are time/cost-effe ctive and can be employed successfully in the planning stages of a gro und-water exploration programme. In addition, the GIS data generated f or the study of ground-water prospects can be updated and used for the planning and management of ground-water resources of the district.