See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/310239621

Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Quantity in Eastern Part of

Ampara District, Sri Lanka

Conference Paper · October 2016

CITATIONS READS
0 968

4 authors, including:

Ruwan Rajapakshe Jagath Gunatilake

Water Resources Board University of Peradeniya
1 PUBLICATION   0 CITATIONS    216 PUBLICATIONS   459 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

A. Withanage
University of Peradeniya
32 PUBLICATIONS   17 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Heavy Metal Contamination in Colombo View project

Indian OceanTsunami 2004 View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Jagath Gunatilake on 15 November 2016.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Assessment of Groundwater Quality and
Quantity in Eastern Part of Ampara District, Sri
Lanka
K.D.A. Samaraweera
Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya

R.R. Rajapakshe
Water Resources Board, Sri Lanka

Jagath Gunatilake
Department of Geology, University of Peradeniya

and
K. K.S.A. Withanage
Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya

ABSTRACT
Samanthurai, Karathivu, Ninthavur, Attalachchena, Irakkamam and Navidanweli
areas in the eastern part of Ampara District are consisted of large extents of paddy
lands. Therefore, the vulnerability of groundwater for contamination in these areas
is enormously high. Thus, the present study was carried out to assess quantity and
quality of groundwater and reasons behanid the status of groundwater in above six
areas. Initially, field visits were conducted. Location data and water samples were
collected. Water samples were analyzed using standard methods. Details of
geological setup and potential zones of groundwater were collected from
geophysical surveys. Elevation data of the selected well fields were collected by
Differential GPS survey. Secondary data were collected from Water Resources
Board database and topographical maps. 1D and 2D -resistivity surveys and well
leveling program were conducted using ABEM SAS 1000 terrameter, AGI
SuperSting R8/IP and Leica Geosystem GS 10 respectively. Seven number of deep
and shallow test wells were constructed and monitored to identify aquifer
properties. Temporal and spatial chemical variation maps were prepared using
ArcGIS software. The results revealed that, high values are recorded than the
desirable levels for Phosphate (2 mg/l)), TDS (500 mg/l), Total Alkalinity (200
mg/l) and Fluoride (0.6 mg/l). When considering heavy metal, Cd (0.005 ppm), Pb
(0.050 ppm) and Mn (0.050 ppm) are exceeding the desirable levels. Despite that,
shallow aquifer is contaminated by Mn and both shallow and deep aquifers are
contaminated by Cd. According to the shallow groundwater flow direction map, sea
water intrusion is growing towards the inland, especially in Karathivu and
Ninthavur DS Divisions. With the changes of water level in dry and wet periods of
the area, water level is fluctuated. The present study concluded that groundwater
been contaminated in the area possibly due to excessive applications of fertilizers
and the impact level is at incipient to intermediate level. Therefore, immediate
awareness of community, implementation of corrective measures and regulatory
mechanisms are vitally important.

INTRODUCTION
Ampara District is one of the largest agricultural areas in Sri Lanka. It contributes
20% of the annual rice requirement for the country. Despite the large agricultural
areas, the excessive use of agrochemicals and fertilizers by the farmers has created
an enormous impact on the quality of groundwater. The lands of Sammanthurai,
Karathivu, Ninthavur, Addalachchena, Irrakkamam and Navithanveli DSDs are
covered mostly with large paddy lands cultivated in both Yala and Maha seasons.
Therefore, the vulnerability of groundwater contamination in these areas is high.
The agricultural drainage has also affected on the groundwater in the low lying
areas. This is a concerned issue since the rural community of the area entirely
depends on the extraction of groundwater through dug wells. These shallow
groundwater aquifers are being contaminated rapidly and respond immediately upon
any vulnerable activity at the surface level. Once the deep groundwater aquifers in
the hard rock are contaminated, the reversible process or the remedial measures are
hard to overcome the situation. Up to now, none of the organizations or responsible
bodies has acted to assess the present status and impact levels on the groundwater
due to these improper agricultural practices. In this situation, it is very important
and topical to conduct such kind of research for the area.
Thed study area consists of sandy and sandy clay soil. In the coastal region, around
up to 500 m from the sea shore, it is completely covered with sandy top layer up to
around 8 mbgl. The study area belongs to Vijayan Complex and the main lithology
of the Vijayan and Vanni Complexes are amphibolite-facies metapelies, mafic to
intermediate rocks, calc-silicates, granitic rocks and migmatites (Cooray, 1961).
Deep seated groundwater is the safest water source from anthropogenic activities in
built-up areas. When considering the accessibility, shallow groundwater is the most
favorable source for the community compare to deep seated groundwater. During
the dry spell of the area (December to March), it is difficult to survive from surface
water bodies for irrigation purposes as well as drinking water supplies. In this
context, groundwater is the main source for fulfill above requirements in the area.
Pitawala et al. (2013) highlighted that the Phosphate can be occurred in surface
water bodies due to the results of eutrophication. It is noted that, high application of
P-fertilizer, industrial and household waste are the major sources of Phosphate in
natural water bodies. According to Adikaram et al. (2016) Batticaloa Lagoon has
been contaminated by heavy metals. The near lagoon mouth indicated high values
of Zr, As and sediments of paddy field drainage canals had high value of Cr, Cu, Ni
and Zr. Moreover, according to WRB (2012) high Phosphate and considerable
amount of some heavy metals are recorded in groundwater in Ampara District.
Villholth et al. (2005) described the water quality in Ampara and Batticaloa District
during Post-Tsunami period. High salinity has been reported in dug wells located
near coastal area of the district. Jayakumar et al. (2002) discussed about the
groundwater potentiality and groundwater quality of Eastern Province of Sri Lanka
and highlighted that during the dry season of the area, groundwater table go deeper
due to heavy pumping and there is a potential for sea water intrusion. Young et al.
(2010) found that, groundwater contamination by Nitrate and Phosphate are very
low despite heavy fertilizer application in North-Central Province of Sri Lanka.
Within this background, the present study was carried out to assess quantity and
quality of groundwater in the study area which consists of six Divisional
Secretariats Divisions (DSD) namely Karathivu, Ninthavur, Addalachchena,
Irrakkamam, Navithanveli and Sammanthurai.

METHODOLOGY
The location of the study area is presented in Figure 1.

.
Figure 1: Study area - DS divisions of Samanthurai, Karathivu, Ninthavur,
Attalachchena, Irakkamam and Navidanweli in Ampara District.

Data collection
Primary data and secondary data were collected. Primary data was collected through
an initial field visit and water samples were collected to get idea about current status
of groundwater quality. Location details of the sampled wells, well type (dug or
tube well), well depth respect to the ground level, well diameter, owner’s
information , surrounding details and water level respect to ground level were also
recorded. Details of Geological setup and potential zones of groundwater were
collected from geophysical surveys. Elevation data of the selected well field was
collected by a Differential GPS Survey (DGPS).
As the secondary data, information about groundwater availability and subsurface
geological and hydrogeological setup were collected using WRB Geodatabase.
Rainfall data was collected from Meteorological Department of Sri Lanka.

Conducting geo-physical and DGPS surveys

In this context, 1D and 2D -resistivity surveys and well leveling program were done
for selected locations in the area to identify water prevalence area, sea water
intrusion and to create groundwater flow regime map. In this selection process, sea
water intrusion, industrial pollution and agricultural impacts and different aquifers
of the pilot area were considered. Table 1 shows the equipment used for
Geophysical Surveys and Well Head Leveling.
Table 1: Equipment using for Geophysical Surveys and Well Head Leveling
No Survey Type Method of Survey Used Instrument
1 1-Diamentional Vertical Electric ABEM 1000
Resistivity Survey Sounding Method (VES) Terrameter
Array: Schlumberger
2 2-Diamentional Combinations of Vertical AGI-Supersting
Resistivity Survey Electric Sounding Terrameter
Method(VES)
Array: Schlumberger
3 Well Head Leveling Longitudanal and Leica Differential
Latitudanala correction GPS
method

Water sampling
During field visits, 83 waster samples were collected from deep and shallow
aquifers. Initially, water samples were collected randomly to represent all area
under consideration. Before submitting samples to the laboratory, in`situ chemical
tests were conducted. Phosphate, Nitrate, Electrical Conductivity, Total Hardness
and Salinity were analysed. In situ and laboratory tests and methods used are
shown in Table 2.
Table 2: Equipment used for water sample analysis
No Parameter Maximum Maximum Method
desirable permissible
level level
1 Turbidity (NTU) 2 NTU 8 NTU Turbidity meter
2 pH (lab) 7.0-8.5 6.5-9.0 Electrometric method
3 EC (µS/cm) 750 3500 Coductometric method
4 Total hardness 250 600 Titrimetric method
(mg/L)
5 TDS (mg/L) 500 2000 By calculation (TDS=
0.6*Alkalinity + Na + K
+ Ca + Mg + Cl- + SO42-
+ SiO2 + No3- + F- )
6 Total Iron 0.3 1.0 Colorimetry-
(mg/L) Phenanthroline method
7 F (mg/L) 0.6 1.5 Colorimetry- Alizerin
visual method
8 Salinity (ppt) By calculation
9 Phosphate 2.0 Colorimetry- Vandomo
(mg/L) lybdophosporic acid
colorimetric method
10 Ca (mg/L) 100 240 Titrimetry- EDTA
titrimetric method
11 Mg (mg/L) 30 mg/L if 140 Titrimetry-Magnesium
SO4=250 by calculation (EDTA
150 mg/L if Calcium and hardness
SO4 <250 titration)
mg/L
12 Na (mg/L) Flame Photometer

13 K (mg/L) Flame Photometer

14 Total Alkalinity 200 400 Titrimetry- Visual
(mg/L) titration
15 Cl (mg/L) 200 1200 Titrimetry- Silver Nitrate
method
16 SO4 (mg/L) 200 400 Spectrophotometer
17 NO3 (mg/L) 10 Ultraviolet
Spectrophotometric
method

Test well drilling

Seven deep and shallow test wells were constructed to identify aquifer properties
and further monitoring. In this context, three wells were constructed in near coastal
belt of the area to identify sea water-fresh water interface and other four wells were
constructed in inland area to identify groundwater availability and aquifer
characteristics. After completion of test well drilling, litho-log samples were
analyzed to identify the underneath geological conditions of the particular area.

Water level fluctuation

Water level variation of dug wells was used to find the relationship with rainfall
data from Meteorological Department of Sri Lanka during 1981-1989.

Map preparation
Based on the chemical tests, temporal and spatial variation of chemicals were
mapped using Arc GIS 9.3. As the method of interpolation, Inverse Distance
Weighted (IDW) technique was used only for shallow aquifer. For deep aquifer, it
was prepared point maps only due to lack of functioning deep wells in the study
area, lack of data on well screening and other well construction details.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Results of chemical analysis

Phosphate, TDS, Total Alkalinity and Fluoride showed high values than desirable
levels/ permissible level (Table 3). When considering heavy metal, Cd, Pb, Mn are
exceeding the desirable levels/ permissible level (Sri Lankan Standards 614: part 1,
1983). There was no any well reporting Cu value under measurable limit (0.01ppm).
Table 3: Water quality parameters comparative to permissible and desirable levels
(Sri Lankan Standards 614: part 1 - 1983)
Parameter Maximum Maximum Identified maximum level
Permissible Desirable during chemical analysis
Level Level
Phosphate - 2 mg/l 25mg/l
Fluoride 0.5 mg/l 1.6 mg/l 3.32 mg/l
Total 200 mg/l 400 mg/l 1920 mg/l
Alkalinity
TDS 500 mg/l 2000 mg/l 2250 mg/l

Some wells were identified with exceeding and close to the desirable levels of
Phosphate, TDS, Total Alkalinity and Fluoride in shallow aquifer. In deep aquifer it
was identified heavy metals such as Cadmium (Cd), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb).
The Phosphate values of shallow groundwater exceed the permissible level
(>2mg/l) in most of the areas and especially at the locations of Samanthurai,
Malwatte and Part of Karativu area (Figure 2). The highest level of 25 mg/l was
observed in Karativu area. In general, the Phosphate varies from 0.6 mg/l to 25 mg/l
in dry season (August 2011) and indicating very lower values of 0.2 mg/l to 3.3
mg/l during wet period possibly attributed to dilution (Figure 3). The area was
covered by 70-80 % of paddy land and farmers use various kind of agrochemicals
for their cultivations. These agrochemicals may have a strong impact on the
elevated Phosphate levels in groundwater.

Figure 2 Phosphate variation of shallow aquifer in dry period-2011

Figure 3 Phosphate variation of shallow aquifer in wet period-2011

According to the analysis, it was reported a considerable values of Cd in shallow
groundwater. It is slightly decreased in wet period due to dilution process. In the
area, Cd reaches its desirable level in urban are and paddy area such as
Addalachchena, Navithanweli and Kaittiadi. When comparing the deep seated
groundwater with shallow groundwater, it seems little high Cd value in deep aquifer
and it may encounter with contribution of geology of the study area. Cd can be
found in soils because insecticides, fungicides, sludge, and commercial fertilizers
which are contaminated with cadmium are used in agriculture. According to the
findings of WHO (2016) Cd is the main element for Chronical Kidney Disease
(CKD).
Mn gives some higher (above 2.5 ppm) in some places at the study area especially
in Samanthurai and near Deegavapiya. In shallow aquifer in the area, high Mn (>3.0
ppm) in dry period than wet period (0.05 ppm) was reported. When considering the
shallow aquifer, with the wet period, Mn levels are decreased and in dry period, it
goes to higher levels. Probably this will happens due to the dilution process.
Using analytical results, Piper diagram was prepared. According to that,
some wells indicated salinity and some wells indicated temporary hardness.
Twenty five (25%) shallow wells indicated saline water quality and 40% of
wells indicated temporary hardness, 5% of wells indicated alkaline
carbonated water.

Groundwater flow pattern

Shallow groundwater flow direction map of the study area, realized that the shallow
groundwater flow regime is not simply towards the sea side (Figure 4). Some wells
located in high elevated area are fed by wells located at low elevated area due to
high extraction. In coastal region of the area, clear indication given from flow
regime map on seawater intrusion of the area and especially in Karathivu, Ninthavur
and Addalachchena area are affected.

Figure 4: Groundwater flow direction map

Underneath geological and groundwater setup of area
According to the litho-logs prepared using litho-log samples collected during test
well constructions, it is indicated that around 15 m thick sandy formation and
around 2 m thick greenish clay layer overlaying by above sandy formation. In this
setup, there is very good aquifer formation in terms of groundwater potentiality
present near the coastal belt. The results coming from litho-log data in inland area,
indicated that there is around 4 m thick clayey soil formation and around 2 m coarse
sand formation. In this condition, is very lack opportunity to have high potentiality
of groundwater availability in the area in shallow aquifer.

CONCLUSIONS
The shallow groundwater in the eastern part of Ampara district is contaminated by
Phosphate possibly due to excess use of fertilizers in agriculture. It can be
concluded that, the major source for shallow groundwater prolusion by There is an
upcoming issue of groundwater contamination by Heavy metals (Cd (0.005 ppm),
Pb (0.050 ppm), Mn (0.050 ppm) and propably it is occurring from parent rock of
the area and Agrochemicals. In coastal region of the area, flow regime map
indicated sea water intrusion in Karathivu, Ninthavur and Addalachchena. There is
a poor potential for groundwater availability in the shallow aquifer.

REFERENCES
Adikaram, A.M.N.M., Pitawala, H.M.T.G.A., Ishiga, H. and. Jayawardhane, D.T
(2016). Heavy metal contamination status in surface sediments of batticaloa lagoon,
Sri Lanka, Proceedings of the 32nd Technical Sessions of Geological Society of Sri
Lanka. P 16. Available at http://www.gsslweb.org.
Cooray, P.G. (1961). The geology of the country around Rangala. Ceylon Dept.
Mineral. Mem. 2, 138 p.
Pitawala, H.M.T.G.A., Karunarathne, D.G.G.P. and Silva, N. (2013). Removal of
aqueous Phosphate and Phenol by adsorption on Clayey Peat, Laterite and Red
Earth, Journal of Geological Society of Sri Lanka, 15, 57-67.
Sri Lankan Standards 614: part 1(1983). Specification for potable water physical
and chemical requirements. pp 5-10
Villholth, K.G., Amerasinghe, P.H., Jeyakumar, P., Panabokke, C.R., Woolley, O.,
Weerasinghe, M.D., Amalraj, N., Prathepaan, S., Bürgi, N., Sarath Lionelrathne,
D.M.D. and Indrajith, N.G. (2005). Tsunami impacts on shallow groundwater and
associated water supply on the East Coast of Sri Lanka. Report from the
International Water Management Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Water Resources Board (WRB) (2012). Water Resources Board Sri Lanka.
Available at http://www.wrb.gov.lk. Accessed on 2016. 09.01.
 WHO (2016). Guidelines for drinking-water quality. Available at
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/2011/dwq_guidelines/en/.
Accessed on 2016/09/01.
Young, S.M. Pitawala, A and Gunatilake, J. (2010). Fate of Phosphate and Nitrate
in waters of an intensive agricultural area in dry zone of Sri Lanka, Paddy Water
Environment, 71-79.

View publication stats