GIS technology is a computer-based science technology that helps improve geographical data in a country. It is used to store, manage, and display data related to water management, including aerial photographs and satellite images. GIS is an advanced tool for monitoring water objects, checking frequency, and mapping water source quality. It operates at regional and national levels and is a database management system that regulates water quality and environment management.
GIS focuses on turbidity, phytoplankton,
suspended particles, and dissolved organic particles in water. Flood warning
programs are crucial in monitoring water resources, as they require precise
analysis and accurate forecasting. GIS technology helps forecast flood
reduction and drought monitoring programs, ensuring the safety of aquatic
habitats and reducing the risk of pollution. GIS in surface water and ground
water helps in risk management, controlling water pollution, and assessing
ground water sources. It is essential to determine the depth of water sources
before drilling or constructing them, as they may be at risk if not determined
on time. GIS applications include flood mapping, hydrological modelling, rain
water harvesting, irrigation water system management, ground water exploration,
drought monitoring, and water pollution activities.
There are some particular GIS uses for water management:
1.
Watershed management: GIS aids in identifying the boundaries of watersheds,
determining patterns of land use, and assessing the effects of changing land
use on water quality and quantity. It helps with setting priorities for
conservation initiatives and creating efficient watershed management plans.
2. Flood Mapping and Risk
Assessment: By combining elevation data, hydrological models, and historical
flood records, GIS enables the construction of risk of flooding maps. It aids
in locating flood-prone locations, assessing the degree of exposure, and
creating flood risk reduction plans.
3. Planning for the provision of
water: GIS is used to map the infrastructure for providing water, such as
reservoirs, wells, pipelines, and treatment facilities. It makes it easier to
analyze demand trends, population growth forecasts, and water availability in
order to improve water supply planning and guarantee effective resource
allocation.
4. Monitoring
of Water Quality: GIS enables the fusion of data on water quality from numerous
sources, including monitoring stations, satellite images, and field research.
It aids in locating the sources of pollution, monitoring the movement of
pollutants throughout watersheds, and putting effective remediation measures
into place.
5. Drought
Monitoring: By combining meteorological information with measurements of soil
moisture and vegetation health indices derived from remote sensing data, GIS
helps to monitor drought conditions. It supports the evaluation of the severity
of the drought, the forecasting of its effects on water resources, and the
formulation of drought mitigation policies.
6. Conservation
of Wetlands: GIS is used to locate wetland areas based on topographic features
and hydrological factors. It assists in wetland inventorying, habitat type
mapping within wetlands, ecological connectivity analysis between wetlands, and
the direction of conservation efforts.
7. Water
Infrastructure Management: GIS contributes in the management of water
distribution networks by mapping pipelines, valves, and pump stations, as well
as features such as age and condition. It supports in asset management,
maintenance planning, and emergency response to maintain water infrastructure
resilience and efficiency.
Generally,
geographic information systems (GIS) provide a comprehensive framework for
data-driven decision-making in water management, enabling greater knowledge,
planning, and sustainable use of water resources.