Abstract
Nonpoint source water pollution is one of the most critical pollution problems all over the world. This study was conducted to assess the status of water pollution, prevention and management and to investigate the awareness of farmers about water quality, water pollution and riparian buffer zones in Moonplains and Blackpool in Nuwara Eliya. Surface and shallow groundwater samples were collected representing natural, agricultural landscapes to test pH, Electrical Conductivity, Nitrate and Phosphate. High Electrical Conductivity (151 dS/m) was reported in cultivated area throughout the study period compared to the forest area. Higher amount of nitrate (32 ppm) was reported in shallow groundwater and lower level of P was observed in both vegetable cultivated areas and natural forest. A questionnaire survey was carried out among 30 farmers to gather information on fertilizer and pesticide usage, agronomic practices and knowledge about the riparian buffer zones. Farmers were selected based on the land proximity to the adjacent water sources. Majority of the Farmers were males and belonged to age group 30-40 years. Eighty percent of the land extent belonged to 0.04 - 0.2 ha and above 0.2 ha categories out of which 67 % were in medium slope category. Majority of the lands were owned by the farmers themselves. Irrigation water requirement is mainly supplied through the surface water. Majority (83%) were aware of the water pollution and knowledge is transferred via generations and not by the education. Nearly 73% of the respondents were aware on riparian buffer zone as a soil conservation method but not as a water quality improvement method. However, due to landlessness, 43% of the farmers did not like to maintain the riparian buffer zone, therefore, capacity building, proper farmer awareness on water pollution and need of maintaining a riparian buffer zone are essential to protect water sources in this intensively agricultural area.
Highlights
All over the world, a considerable fraction of water pollution has been recognized as originating from Non Point Sources (NPS) (Luzio et al, 2004) such as agriculture, silviculture, mining, construction, urban activities and atmospheric deposition (Neary et al, 1989)
Up country hilly areas in Sri Lanka such as Nuwara Eliya are popular for intensive exotic vegetable cultivation
Majority of the farmers (57%) believed that soil conservation can be done by maintaining the riparian buffer zone and 7% was aware that the riparian buffers can maintain water quality
Summary
A considerable fraction of water pollution has been recognized as originating from Non Point Sources (NPS) (Luzio et al, 2004) such as agriculture, silviculture, mining, construction, urban activities and atmospheric deposition (Neary et al, 1989). Higher level of Electrical Conductivity and Total Dissolved Solids values of stream water have been recorded in vegetable cultivated areas in highlands and possible reason for the elevated parameters could be the high concentrations of ions species due to fertilizer applications (Amarasekara et al, 2013), manure and liming materials used in farming (Rajakaruna et al, 2005). Riparian Buffer zones (RBZ) are known to reduce diffuse N pollution of stream by removing and modifying N from agricultural runoff (Hefting et al, 2003). A study was conducted to assess the existing situation of the study area, water sources, agricultural practices, water pollution prevention and management aspects and to investigate the awareness of the farmers about water quality, water pollution and riparian buffer zones in Moon plains and Black pool in Nuwara Eliya
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