Water Distribution Pattern in Coimbatore City, Tamil Nadu using Remote Sensing and GIS

Water is an eternal wonder, a life given force, a powerful agent of progress or ruin. Man must harness the basic resources wisely for the progress and prosperity of mankind. Water is the most precious commodity to the human life; if it is properly managed it can serve the society in number of ways. Depending upon the circumstances it can be both priceless and worthless, blessing and a curse. Water is a common chemical substance that is essential to all known forms of life. We know that all life is dependent on water and that water exists in nature in many forms – clouds, rain, snow, ice and fog: however, strictly speaking chemically pure water does not exist for any appreciable length of time in nature. Even while falling as rain, water picks up small amounts of gases, ions, dust and particulate matter from the atmosphere. The prime aim of this study is to understand the water distribution pattern in Coimbatore city with considering the Siruvani Water Supply Scheme in a geographical manner. Questionnaire has been framed to collect the information about water supply and utilized as primary data and few relevant data collected from field investigations. In addition to the primary data, the suitable secondary data were collected from Government departments. Survey of India topographic sheets and Quick bird satellite imagery were used to prepare necessary thematic maps. The Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) were engaged to address the chosen research investigation in a cartographical way. The water supply system of Coimbatore currently serves the entire city with water being available to the citizens. As an alternative water supply, Pillur water was utilized in order to meet out the demand of current population. The city is supplied with water from two sources, both on Siruvani and the other Pillur.