Surface Water Hydrology of Industrial Sites

Several textbooks, field manuals, and standard codes of practice are available for hydrological studies and water resources planning. The study of surface water hydrology of an industrial site is required for (a) carrying out hydro-environmental impact assessment (pre-project) and hydro-environmental monitoring and management (during construction and operation), and (b) planning and management (i.e., maintaining and operating) of water-related infrastructure at the industrial site for water supply, drainage, flood control, and so on. The scope, related tasks, and methodology of a hydrological study for the purpose of environmental impact assessment (EIA) are explained. Usually, the direct impact area is taken as that lying within a 10 km radius from the periphery of the project components. Further, any significant surface or ground water body located within 10–25 km, which is likely to influence the project or be influenced by the project, is also covered in the hydrological study. In this chapter, (a) the scope of hydrological study for development of hydraulic structures for water supply, drainage, and flood control is explained; (b) the additional studies for sites located in flat terrains and near sea coast are identified; (c) the sources of secondary data on hydrometeorology, soil, topography, and land use and land cover are explained; and (d) the relevant codes of practice published by Bureau of Indian Standards of the Government of India and followed in hydrological investigations are narrated in tabular form.