President wants water report by March 3

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed the Central Environment Authority (CEA) officials to submit the final investigation report on the ground water contamination in Chunnakam, Jaffna by March 3, according to Central Environment Authority Chairman Prof. Lal Dharmasiri.

A few weeks ago a serious contamination of ground water was reported in Chunnakam depriving people in the area fresh water for drinking and their daily chores.

The ground water in the limestone aquifer is the main source of water for the area. People complained that the water smelt like crude oil and a substantial number of wells were showing signs of contamination.

Dharmasiri said that his team has already completed the investigations at ground level.

"The team has started testing the samples collected from Chunnakam and we are preparing the document to be handed over to the President," Prof. Dharmasiri said.

The CEA team has collected samples from several points including domestic, agrarian, tube wells and other water bodies which connects to the ground water aquifers.

The team has also referred to reports done earlier by the Disaster Management Unit, Jaffna University and the CEA Jaffna regional office.

Apart from the findings the report will be highlighting the recommendations needed to implement.