Satellite data and geographical information system (GIS) should be applied to locate the groundwater zones for the purpose of harnessing this resource to meet the drinking water demand of the people. This was the observation made by Dr S K Subramanian, Head of the Hydrology Division of the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation here today. He was addressing a function organised by the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) of the State in connection with the two-day workshop on groundwater prospects and sustainability maps of Assam. The groundwater zones can be identified with the application of these technologies with much ease and less cost. Earlier, many deep tube wells had to be abandoned because of the failure to find the adequate water-bearing zones. But, the groundwater sources are to be kept sustainable throughout the life of the water supply schemes, he maintained. The new technologies now address both the problems of finding out the best prospective zones and also the sustainable site for water harvesting structures to keep it sustainable, he said. In the country, ten states are now using the maps prepared by the NRSC and they are able to achieve the success rate of about 85 per cent to 90 per cent. So, the other states should also avail the opportunity to use these maps while implementing thedrinking water supply schemes and also for sustainability of the projects run by the State Government agencies. It needs mention here that the Union Ministry of Rural Development has come forward now to address the problem of drinking water and entrusted the NRSC to prepare the groundwater maps with modern technology. The locational advantage of the Shillong-based North East Space Application Centre (NESAC) may be of much help for the PHED of the State in implementing thegroundwater-based drinking water schemes. The workshop, organised by the Communication and Capacity Development Unit of the PHED was inaugurated by PHE Minister Rihon Doimari. The inaugural function was also addressed by PHED Secretary Abhijit Dutta. Dr Subramanian, Dr KK Sarma Ms Kuntala and Samarjit Singh of the NESAC and Dr Parag Phukan of the Gauhati University Geological Sciences took part in the workshop as resources persons. A total of 45 PHED engineers from each of the districts of the State, besides the IIT research scholars and project officials and a good number of experts engaged in the field have been taking part in the event, said a press release.