Abstract
Bomuruella Reservoir in Nuwara Eliya is an important water source in the area which indirectly contributes to the drinking water supply of the downstream people. Many agricultural lands obtain water from this reservoir and consume its water for washing and cleaning purposes. This research was focused on identifying the contamination sources of Bomuruella reservoir and to investigate the suitability of the reservoir as a drinking water source.According to the water quality analysis, BOD5 and CODMn values of most sample points did not satisfy the specified standards of Central Environmental Authority, Sri Lanka. Municipal wastewater stream and the stream from the cultivated area recorded high BOD5 levels of 7.65 mg/l and 6.55 mg/l respectively in the period of low water level of the reservoir. The stream from the cultivated area reported a high CODMn value of 595.74 mg/l during March and the stream from Kandapola plantation recorded a CODMn value of 74.44 mg/l during May. This concludes that the reservoir was contaminated with significant loads of organic wastes. Furthermore, the effluent from the leachate treatment plant recorded higher conductivity, nitrate and CODMn values which indicated that the leachate treatment plant was malfunctioning.The main cause of pollution of the reservoir is the discharge of agricultural runoff, raw sewage and wastes which include domestic, industrial and hospital waste directly into the feeder streams. It can be concluded that if the reservoir is to be used as a source of drinking water stringent measures have to be taken to control effluents.
Highlights
Bomuruella Reservoir is situated in the Nuwara Eliya District surrounded by the Kandapola—Seetha Eliya Forest Reserve and serves as an important water source in the area
According to the water quality analysis, BOD5 and CODMn values of most sample points did not satisfy the specified standards of Central Environmental Authority, Sri Lanka
The effluent from the leachate treatment plant recorded higher conductivity, nitrate and CODMn values which indicated that the leachate treatment plant was malfunctioning.The main cause of pollution of the reservoir is the discharge of agricultural runoff, raw sewage and wastes which include domestic, industrial and hospital waste directly into the feeder streams
Summary
Bomuruella Reservoir is situated in the Nuwara Eliya District surrounded by the Kandapola—Seetha Eliya Forest Reserve and serves as an important water source in the area. The reservoir constructed and operated by the Department of Irrigation (ID) is used to augment the irrigation supplies of the Uma Oya canal irrigation scheme, a major irrigation scheme in the upper Uma Oya basin. The reservoir is situated in a valley surrounded by hilly areas which consist of Eucalyptus grandis plantation owned by the Department of Forest, a lush Sub Montane Forest and cultivated areas of tea and vegetables. Due to steep valley slopes in major parts of the reservoir catchment the chances of infiltration is re-. The thickness of the soil cover in the area is relatively thin reducing the capacity to retain infiltration. Stream flows would be characterized by large flow volumes during rainy periods resulting in a high water level in the reservoir, immediately followed by significantly small flows when the rains have ceased resulting in a low water level in the reservoir [1]
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