Jaffna water supplies at risk - GTZ

[TamilNet, Friday, 24 April 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Experts from the German Technical Institute (GTZ) warned today that continuous seepage of polluted water into the ground could result in the area coming under Jaffna Municipal Council not having potable water, said sources in Jaffna.

The group of experts told the Jaffna Municipal Commissioner V. P. Balasingham that this was induced mainly by the close proximity of the sewage pit to the water well in the traditional Jaffna home.

They said that sewage seeped into the soil, found its way into the ground water and finally contaminated water in the wells.

The team also said that pesticides used on crops seeped into canals and tanks, while another source of contamination were pollutants which formed in the bed of the tanks. They said these pollutants entered the human body when the water was consumed.

Mr. Balasingham said that there was a proposal to bring down geologists to Jaffna before the end of this year who would do a comprehensive study of the problem before steps are taken to avert this problem in the future.

Related Articles:
21.03.98   Jaffna water tanks remain empty