Ground water monitoring network to be established

Disna Mudalige

The Government will establish a Ground Water Monitoring Network under the Water Resources Board, said Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

He was addressing a workshop on Challenges in Water Resource Management held at the Waters Edge Hotel yesterday. The Minister said that the proposed ground water monitoring network will provide critical information on the hydro geological and hydro chemical status of ground water resources in the country. “When implementing this network a special reference will be given to a number of selected pilot areas.

The ground water of these pilot areas has already been found to be adversely affected due to natural and anthropological activities” he explained.

This will be carried out through Component two of the Dam Safety and Water Resources Planning Project. It will support the development of remedial actions and proper management strategies to mitigate the impacts on the country’s water resources, he said.

The Minister also pointed out that the uncontrolled and increasing abstractions of ground water has resulted in the deterioration of ground water quality due to sea water intrusion. Application of large quantities of inorganic fertilizer has also resulted in high concentration of nitrogen compounds in water. A rapid decline of water levels is also experienced in areas where a large number of agro-wells intercept the shallow grounds, he pointed out.

“Ground Water should be conserved in terms of quantity and quality as a reliable source for drinking water in urban and rural areas. A significant portion of ground water is being extracted for irrigated agriculture as well” he observed.