Surface and Groundwater Resources Management in Quantity and of Quality in the Kattar Sub-Basin Watershed of Cauvery River Basin, Tamil Nadu State, India

Kattar sub-basin is a smallest watershed in Cauvery River basin with an aerial extent of 390.44 sq.km located almost in the centre of Tamil Nadu state. The Tiruchirapalli Corporation lies within the watershed. Since the corporation is an industrial and educational hub along with traditional farm activities the watershed's water demand is increasing every year.Water resources of this watershed have been assessed by conducting innovative hyrological and hydrogeological investigations coupled with literature review both in libraries and internet along with field work.Water resource in this watershed is 7.43 TMC (0.21 km3). It is found that about 27.95 TMC (0.79 km3) water is required for the present population at the per capita annual demand of 1,000 m3 which is the quantity of water compulsorily required both for domestic and food needs as per the world water resources standard. So, the present water supply and demand gap is 20.52 TMC (0.58 km3). It is found that by implementing the water management strategies like rainwater harvesting, artificial groundwater recharge, treating and recycling the domestic sewage water, micro irrigation practices, increasing the irrigation efficiency and intra-basin transfer of flood water to this watershed from the Mayanoor barrage (under construction) in the Cauvery River located north, it is possible to bridge the existing water supply and demand gap and achieve sustainable water resources development now and in future also.