Abstract :

The Maritimepattu Divisional Secretariat (DS), located in Sri Lanka’s dry zone, is underlain by Miocene limestone, which is considered to have aquifer properties favourable for groundwater storage and discharge. Given that groundwater serves as the primary water resource for domestic, industrial, and agricultural purposes, maintaining its quality is a significant concern. This paper aims to assess the water quality in the region, identify associated problems, and investigate potential causes and preventive measures. A purposive sampling method was employed to select six sample Grama Niladhari (GN) divisions. In addition, 100 questionnaires were administered, and 36 water samples were collected for the study. These water samples were tested based on eight major water quality parameters: Electrical Conductivity (EC), Salinity, pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Fluoride (F-), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), and Turbidity (Tn). Furthermore, secondary data were gathered from previous literature. Both primary and secondary data were analysed using Minitab and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The measurements were then compared to the desirable limits set by the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI). This study revealed that the highest recorded values for EC, Salinity, pH, TDS, F-, N, P, and Tn were 2480 µS/cm, 1254 ppm, 8.6, 632 ppm, 1.1 ppm, 7,9 ppm, 3.8 ppm, and 36.7 NTU, respectively. These values exceed the standard limits set by the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI). The pollution in the area can be attributed to various factors, including topographical conditions, improper agricultural practices, inadequate sanitation methods, dumping sites, war activities, and industrial waste. As a result, these issues have led to serious health problems, reduced crop yields, insufficient drinking water, and the degradation of groundwater resources. Therefore, this study recommends the adoption of green agriculture practices, the installation of water treatment plants, the promotion of rainwater harvesting systems, and the enforcement of land and irrigation-related laws. Moreover, hazardous waste material must be disposed of at designated sites to protect water resources.

---

Keywords :

Contamination, Desirable Limit, Nitrate, Post-war, Water quality.

---

References :

1. Aditya, S., Herath, M., Salman, S., Ameer, R. & Pathmarajah, S. (2015). Managing shallow aquifers in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Springer International Publishing Journal, Switzerland. DOI: 10.1007/s 10661-015-4584-5.
2. Chamini, W., Gunarathna, M.H.J.P., Prabhasri. H. & Guttila, Y.J. (2018). Drinking water Quality on Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown Aetiology (CKDu) in Ullagalla Cascade, Sri Lanka. Sabaragamuwa University Journal. 16(1): 17.
3. Dissanayake, C.B. & Weerasooriya, S.V.R. (1985). A Geochemical classification of Groundwater of Sri Lanka. Journal of Natural Science Council of Sri Lanka. 13(2). Pp: 147-186.
4. Edirisinghe, K.A.N.V., Karunaratne, G.R.R.,l Hidayathulla, M.S.M., Kumara, I.G.C.I., Thilakarathna, I.A.N.D.P., Gunasekara, J.D.C., Rathnayaka, S.S.K. & Priyadarshane, K.S.G.S. (2014).
5. Gunawardena, E.R.N. & Pabasara, P.K.D. (2016). A framework for Groundwater policy in Sri Lanka. Groundwater availability in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
6. Inthirakumaran, K., Ponnambalam, R., Balachandran, K. (2023). Groundwater mapping and locally engaged water governance in a small island terrain: Case study of Karainagar island, Northern Sri Lanka. World water policy. (9). Pp: 456-480.
7. Jeyaruba, T. & Thushyanthy, M. (2009). The effect of Agriculture on Quality of Groundwater: A Case study. Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research. 4 (2). Pp 110-114.
8. Jinadasa, K.B.S.N., Wijewardena, S.K.I., Dong, Q.Z., Richard, M.G., Kalpage, C.S., Soon, K.T., Jing, Y.W & Wan, J.N. (2012). Socio-Environmental impact of water on the Mid – Canel, Sri Lanka. Journal of water resource and protection. (4), Pp 451-459.
9. Kalaivani, G., Prabagar, S., Uthpala, A.J., Gobalarajah, R., Sittampalam, R. & Jasotha, P. (2020). Impact of water quality on chronic kidney disease ofv unknown etiology (CKDu) in Thunukkai Division in Mullaitivu district, Sri Lanka. BMC Nephrology, (21): 507.
10. Keshani, Y.H.N. (2022). Impacts of water pollution in Sri Lanka. Journal of Research Technology & Engineering. 3(1). Pp: 19-26.
11. Kumara, G.M.P., Perera, M.D.D., Wijekoon, W.M.S.M., Pathamarajah, S., Diyawansa, N.D.K., Mowjood.M.I.M. & Galagedara, L.W. (2015). Water pollution in a natural stream and its impacts on society and Environment: A review of studies on Meda Ela, Sri Lanka. 6^th International conference on structural Engineering and construction management. Kandy, Sri Lanka.
12. Kumari, M.K.N. (2020). Evaluation of Groundwater Quality Index for Drinking water in Tank Cascade Landscape. International Journal of Latest Technology in engineering Management and Applied Science (IJLTEMAS), IX (VIII).
13. Mahagamage, M.G.Y.L., Pavithrani, S. & Pathmalal. (2019). Water Quality and microbial contamination status of groundwater in Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka. Journal of Water and Land development. 40(I-III). P:3-12.
14. Mutu, T.O.V.P. & Navarethnam, G. (2022). Impact assessment of land use on water scarcity in urban areas: case of Jaffna peninsula, Sri Lanka. Water policy, 24(7): 1146-1165.
15. Nitasha, K. and Sanjiv, T. (2014) Influences of Natural and Anthropogenic Factors on Surface and Groundwater Quality in Rural and Urban Areas. Frontiers in Life Science, 8, 23-39.
16. Prabagar, J., Prabagar, S. & Thuraisingam. (2020). Nitrate contamination of groundwater: An issue for livelihood in Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 16(7), Pp:1025-1032.
17. Saravanamuttu, S.S. (2024). Parch land and contaminated well in the Northern Province, Daily News, Sri Lanka.
18. Suresh, I., Yuansong, W., Titus, C., Tharindu, R.,m Jinadasa, K.B.S.N., Sujithra, S.K. & Rohan, W. (2022). Groundwater -based Drinking water supply in Sri Lanka: Status and Perspectives. MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
19. Thushyanthy, M., Barathithasan, R. & Saravanan, S. (2010). Irrigation water quality based on Hydro Chemical analysis, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. American – Eurasian J.Agric. & Environ. Sci., 7(1): 100-102.
20. Thushyanthy, M., Meththika, V., Pathmarajah, S., Sutharsiny, A., Ranjith, A. & Manthrithilake, H. (2013). Hadrochemical characterization in Jaffna’s aquifer system in Sri Lanka., International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
21. Wanasinghe, W.C.S., Gunarathne, M.H.J.P., Herath, H.M.P.I.K. & Jayasinghe, G.Y. (2018). Drinking water quality on Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown A etiology (CKDu) in Ulagalla Cascade, Sri Lanka. Sabaragamuwa University Journal, 16(1), Pp: 17-27.
22. World Health Organization. (2011). Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. World Health Organization. Geneva, Swtzerland. (4).