Is the water really safe?

Public confused by conflicting theories about the Kelani River contamination:

by Carol Aloysius

The Coca Cola water contamination saga continues with conflicting theories on the exact nature of the contaminants confusing the public. Local medical experts from the Poison Prevention Centre have, however, enlightened the public about the adverse outcome of ingesting water-borne contaminants.

Contaminated water of the Kalani River

Tests carried out by the Central Environment Authority point to furnace oil as being the main contaminant of the Kelani River and Ambatale water while the National Drainage and Water Supply Board believes it is diesel oil.

Yet another group has pointed to a chemical, which turns the water to a caramel colour, and is banned across the US, due to its carcinogenic risks.

Meanwhile, a study by environmental researcher Ravindra Kariyawasam, who represents the Centre for Nature Forum is reported to have found a high level of arsenic in the water samples obtained near the Ambatale Pumping station. He has been quoted as saying that the arsenic contamination of the Kelani River was due to the release of chemicals and effluents by over 150 industries in the Biyagama Industrial zone, adding it would take over two decades or more for even an atom of arsenic to decompose.The irony is that while admitting the presence of 'some' type of contaminant in the drinking water, which their reports are now revealing, the authorities continue to maintain that the water has been treated and is hundred percent safe.

Speaking to the Sunday Observer, Chairman, National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS& DB), K. A. Anzar said, "Lab tests from water samples collected after the oil leak from the Coca Cola plant at Kaduwela reveal that furnace oil has leaked into the water making it unfit for human consumption. Assuring the water was now safe to drink, he said his officers were closely watching the situation and monitoring the water at Kelaniya and Ambatale to detect any possible abnormalities in the water which is tested in their labs.

Safe to drink

Assuring the water was now safe to drink, he said his officers were closely watching the situation and monitoring the water at Kelani and Ambatale to detect any possible abnormalities in the water which is tested in our labs.

"At present the situation is under control and the water is hundred percent safe to drink. We are monitoring the quality with special emphasis on oil discharges. But with so many manufacturing companies using furnace oil and diesel mushrooming in the island, many of which are not even registered, untreated discharges could easily be discharged into our water bodies without our knowledge. That is why the public must be vigilant and immediately report to us or the nearest police station or PHI if they see any manufacturing plant, petrol station or individual dumping untreated waste water containing harmful chemicals into waterways," he said.

"By the time we heard about the oil leak and immediately despatched inspectors to the site, the water had already been contaminated," he added.He also noted that what happened recently could occur again unless stringent penalties are taken to deal with offenders.

Memory lapse

The Ambatale water purification plant

Both the CEA and NWS&DB seem to have had a convenient lapse of memory on this count. For, if not for the protests of an irate public supported by the media who made an outcry demanding action against the offending company, punitive measures might still be forthcoming. Responding to the public outcry, the CEA suspended the company's environmental licence, which it needs in order to operate. On Monday however, the authority on Coca Cola's request revoked the suspension, prompting a public outrage.

It was pointed out that diesel oil had resurfaced in the water supply on August 28 when residual leaked oil was washed back into the river after heavy rains, resulting in another water cut while the authorities worked again to clean the Kelani. After the second clean-up, the Water Board Chairman, K.A. Ansar gave a guarantee that the leaked diesel oil would not cause another water cut. The Central Environmental after deploying several officials to inspect the Kelani River from Avissawella to the Ambatale water treatment plant, also defended the restoration of Coca Cola's licence, with the Chairman, Prof. Lal Dharmasiri, quoted as saying that under the present laws the company was allowed to request the revoking of the licence suspension while guaranteeing that necessary action had been taken to resolve the original fault.

Chairman, Centre for Environmental Journalists (CEJ) Hemantha Withanage, however, had a different opinion. Agreeing it was legally correct to re-issue the Environment Protection Licence (EPL) he said such action raised suspicions because it was not done in a transparent way.

"There is also now a controversy over the exact nature of the contaminants, with the CEA saying it is diesel, which is pure oil and more harmful, and the Water Board saying it is furnace oil. Another group says it is Imidazole, a harmful chemical banned in the US because it causes cancer.

At the end of the day it is the consumer who will have to suffer because of these conflicting theories. The correct thing to do is to have these samples tested in all our accredited labs and publish the reports so that the public can decide. The public can then make an informed choice about the water due to fear of arsenic in water they switch to bottled water it is the manufacturers who will profit."

Twist of fate

For the 127-year, the beverage company which just two years ago won the coveted National Quality Award 2013 for local organizations that excel in quality management (valid for five years incidentally) the debacle at Biyagama and ensuring controversy surrounding it is indeed an ironic twist of fate. On that occasion, Country Manager, Kapila Welmillage commenting on the plant's stringent treatment of waste water is reported to have said, "The water goes through several cycles of treatment such as meets the company's norm of effluent discharge as well as local government norms for discharge".

By not using these facilities the day the explosion occurred, makes the company doubly guilty - first by depriving many people of drinking water on two occasions, and secondly aggravating health risks..

Health impact

Senior Professor of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo, Dr Ravindra Fernando said, "Poisoning can occur when someone swallows, breathes in (inhales), or touches fuel oil. If that happens it could affect almost every organ and even lead to the shutting down of the body completely."

His advice is, "Get medical help right away. Do not make a person vomit. If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider. Do not give water or milk if the person is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) that make it hard to swallow. If the person breathed in the poison, immediately move him or her to fresh air".