Mahaweli river contaminated

Manjula Fernando

GAMPOLA: Poor garbage dumping practices and mismanaged sewage systems in the Gampola town have contributed to the contamination of the Mahaweli river which serves as the only source for pipe borne water to the area.

The National Water supply and Drainage Board (NWS & DB) warns if the problem is left unattended, there will be a major environmental disaster, not to mention heavy burden of switching into costly advanced water purifying techniques to ensure safe water for the people in the area.

"The water in the Mahaweli river, especially in the Paradeka tributary where our water plants are located, is highly polluted by garbage and waste from the buildings on the river boundary," NWS & DB Deputy General Manager for Central and Sabaragamuwa, Eng.M.A.M.S.L.Attanayake said.

He said the Board had to chlorinate the water in an extensive process to turn it into a potable state.

Attanayake ensured the water was 100 per cent safe to drink once it is purified by the Board, complying with the Sri Lanka Standard (SLS) norms as they continue to do. This technique goes even beyond the World Health Organisation standard.

But if the current rate of contamination is not immediately arrested, it will not be long that they are compelled to switch to advanced techniques of purification which are very costly.

He blamed the Gampola Urban Council for not managing the environment and maintaining a proper system. The shops and boutiques in the Gampola township, adjoining the Mahaweli river, dump its waste directly into the river.

Gampola experienced an outbreak of Hepatitis A epidemic in May this year. Mainly spread through drinking water, the wrath for the epidemic was directly levelled at the Water Board.

"A fear psychosis was created among the people that the water supplied by the Board was contaminated.

It was true the source, Paradeka, where we catch water for purification was found to be contaminated, but once it is purified through the system it is 100 per cent safe for drinking."

The water in the tributary Paradeka was found to be contaminated with e-coli, an organism known to be found in animal excreta and also a probable sign the Hepatitis A virus's presence.

This fear led the people to stop using the board water and go for alternative sources like wells. The wells located within the township were highly contaminated. Influenced by the misconception the people used non-purified water from the wells putting themselves in greater danger of catching the virus.

"What comes naturally is the best water," Attanayake explained adding that although the use of chlorine has not proved harmful, it was best if they can go for all natural.

The water streams that flow from the hilly terrain are pure but the mismanagement practices of the town administrators cause their pollution at urbanised points. "We should not be fire fighters," he pointed out, saying the administrators get worked up whenever there is a health crisis pointing fingers at everyone else, but the fervour dies down gradually with the epidemic.

"What we actually need is a sustainable arrangement to manage the environment and contain health crises," he said.