400 sewerage outlets to be removed from Beira Lake

by Anura Maitipe

The second stage of the purification project of the Beira Lake launched jointly by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and the Ports Authority has commenced, UDA sources told the "Sunday Observer".

Under the first stage 1,200 sewerage lines let into the Beira Lake have been removed. Another 400 sewerage outlets are to be removed under the second stage. Apart from the flow of sewerage the other factors causing pollution of the lake were the shanties garbage and the slow flow of water into the sea from the lake.

The UDA has proposed two ways to maintain a regular flow of water into the Beira Lake. Pump fresh water from the Kelani river to a connecting canal or to pump sea water into the Lake. However, pumping of sea water is a cost effective way the UDA said.

The sewerage system in the Colombo city was one of the best sewerage systems in the region and it was well maintained during the colonial period.

However due to lack of proper maintenance the system was disrupted.

The Beira Lake is spread over 65.4 hectares and over 10 million cubic meters of water annually flow into Beira lake. A survey conducted by the UDA has found that the prime cause of pollution of Beira lake was the flow of sewerage into the lake from shanties, factories, hotels and other commercial institutions in the city.

As a result the Beira Lake has become the main mosquito breeding ground in the city. While inducing a odour smell during the dry season it create unhealthy atmosphere in the vicinity. And waste water was drained into the Beira Lake polluting it.