GROUNDWATER POLLUTION MODELLING - A CASE STUDY FOR TIRUPPUR, TAMIL NADU, INDIAUSHA NATESAN AND K. DEEPTHIAbstract Tamil Nadu is not endowed with perennial rivers. Development of bleaching and dyeing in and around Tiruppur Block has led to groundwater pollution. Groundwater flow model, Visual MODFLOW was used to understand and predict the groundwater contamination. Water levels were measured with water level recorder in 20 wells and samples were collected and analyzed for TDS concentration. The location of industries, their effluent characteristics, their point of discharge into the river, aquifer characteristics and lithology were given as inputs to the Visual MODFLOW model. Groundwater velocity, direction and paths of contaminant transport were obtained for selected locations for a specified time period. From the water level and velocity vectors, depletion of groundwater in some areas due to the pumping for agricultural purpose is inferred, horn the groundwater flow pattern, it is clear that Noyyal river acts as source of recharge of groundwater and Chinnakarai river and Nallar river acts as a drainage. At present, the industries discharge their effluents with high TDS concentration. Simulated scenario for 2009 with a decrease in TDS concentration (if it happens due to stringent action) indicates considerable improvement in the groundwater quality. This encourages the utilization of the models in decision making in groundwater management.
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