Jaffna ground- water contamination, life threatening

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

The demands for safe drinking water has risen in the Jaffna peninsula. Protests leading to hunger strikes in the area reveals the severity of the problem. School children, teachers, university academics and people from all communities have joined the protests.

Ground water

The ground-water in the limestone aquifer is the main source of water for the area. Aquifers are underground layers of rock that are saturated with water which could be extracted through natural springs or pumps. Aquifers are naturally refilled mainly by rain but the refilling level in Jaffna is slowing down, according to researchers. The district is predominantly an agricultural area with a large extent of commercial crop cultivation such as red onions, chilies, potatoes, tobacco, vegetables, bananas and grapes. With this there is a huge demand for water and without any rivers and tanks in the plains, ground water is heavily pumped out for agricultural needs. Rapid development of agriculture, economy and increase of population due to resettlement have increased the use of of water. Scientists fear that Jaffna's limestone aquifer will become depleted over the years leaving no fresh water on the peninsula.

This is why the contamination of the Jaffna ground water becomes a severe problem. Early last week reports flooded the media stating the ground water in the Chunnakam area (Walikamum general area) is contaminated with crude oil and people are protesting. People were complaining that the water smelt like crude oil and a substantial number of wells were showing signs of contamination.

The Jaffna Peninsula, falls within the dry zone and is underlain by Miocene limestone that is considered to have appropriate aquifer properties for groundwater storage and discharge, according to the report on Jaffna water condition researched and compiled by Dr. Thushyanthy

Mikunthan, Dr. Meththika Vithanage, Dr. S. Pathmarajah, Mr. Ranjith Ariyaratne and Dr. H. Manthrithilake. The report notes that "The absence of perennial rivers or major water supply schemes to the peninsula highlights the importance of groundwater as the predominant water resource for domestic, industrial and agricultural use. The seasonal rainfall has a short duration and it is the only means to refill the limestone aquifer." According to research the Jaffna peninsula has four main aquifer systems, such as the Chunnakam (Valikamam area), Thenmaratchi, Vadamaratchi and Kayts, of which the Valikamam area is intensively cultivated in the Jaffna Peninsula.

The report also highlights the importance of an assessment of the vulnerability of groundwater for irrigation and drinking purposes has become an important task for the management of present and future groundwater quality in the Chunnakam aquifer. In a country like ours, where fresh water is still abundant shortage of water can be felt less. Yet those who face the ground reality understands the gravity.

Fresh water

Being brought to the attention of the Government steps have been taken to supply fresh water to people. According to Jaffna District Secretary Suntharam Aruminayaham fresh water is supplied to the affected areas from bowsers. "Water tanks are filled daily and people store water in large containers. Daily over 250 water tanks are filled," said Aruminayaham. These large tanks are set up by the District Secretariat to provide water for the people.

A special committee is being set up joining the District Secretariat, provincial minsitries of Agriculture and Health to find a solution to this problem. "While there are tests and researches are going on to find the long term solution for the problem we are also looking in to short term solutions to provide fresh water for people's daily use," he said.

According to Aruminayaham tests are done with the assistance of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board.

People and environmentalists accuse the 'Northern Power' power plant, which depends on fossil fuel to generate electricity.

The Northern Power Company Ltd. issuing a press statement denied these allegations saying that the oil 'lake' in the previously state-run power plant which commenced its work recently could be the cause. In the press release the Northern Power Company Ltd. states that, "This 'lake' contained a large amount of oil as indicated even in the Google maps taken over a period of time and has been presented to Courts as well. Subsequently around 2012 the area was filled with earth and a new substation was built by the Government on this premises. Unfortunately, to date no one has questioned or researched in to finding out what happened to this large quantity of oil that was contained in this 'oil lake'."

The newly recommenced Government owned power plant, 'Uthuri Janani' and 'Nothern Power' are the power generating establishments that provide electricity to the Jaffna Peninsula. Amidst these controversies people still face the problem.

Problem

Still there is lack of water for daily needs.A proper unbiased investigation is compulsory to find the sustainable solution. Since Jaffna had heavy rains last weeks there is a high possibility for the pollution to spread fast in to other areas.

"To achieve a sustainable transformation, a comprehensive feasibility study will be an important step," said Dr. Herath Manthrithilake, Head, Sri Lanka Development Initiative of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). IWMI lead numerous researches on the water quality of Sri Lanka and one specific study area is the Water in the Jaffna peninsula.

Its not only crude oil pollutants that have crept in to the well water. The research done by Dr. Thushyanthy Mikunthan, Dr. Meththika Vithanage, Dr. S. Pathmarajah, Mr. Ranjith Ariyaratne and Dr. H. Manthrithilake also identified high levels of nitrates in the wells, particularly the agro wells - known as 'andiya' wells with its unique lever structure. The report states that 'Since, most of the farm wells are located inland; their water quality is generally superior to domestic and public wells.

However, farm wells contain nitrate-N levels that are above acceptable levels for drinking purposes." Elevated levels of electric conductivity due to the presence of high concentrations of ions in the ground water, nitrates and low levels of fluoride were identified in comparison with Sri Lankan drinking water standards in the Chunnakam aquifer.

The level of nitrate-N concentration in water was influenced by the cropping system, as a high nitrate-N concentration in groundwater was observed in the cultivation of highland crops followed by banana and paddy.

The scientists also argue that this can be aggravated with excessive use of water in these plantations which inevitably happens in the dry weather. According to this research done a few years ago high levels of pollution in ground water due to heavy use of agro chemicals had been evident - though with in the WHO limits on Arsenic.

Ground water contamination in the Valikamam area of the North, particularly in the Chunnakam area has directed the attention of authorities towards the ground water situation of the entire country.

There is a persisting problem in the ground waters of the entire country, according to experts. the changing rainfall patterns due to Climate Change will impact Sri Lanka's groundwater aquifers.

Not only the drought, but intense rain during a short period of time, will also disturb groundwater recharging cycles, as it will not allow rain water to leach down, but runoff quickly into rivers.

The presence of buildings prevents rainwater from leaching, hence leaching in urban areas is severely reduced, which slows down groundwater recharge, while groundwater extraction for commercial purposes is increasing. Hence, there should be solution to the groundwater isse, water experts said.