TITLE:
Socio-Environmental Impact of Water Pollution on the Mid-canal (Meda Ela), Sri Lanka
AUTHORS:
K. B. S. N. Jinadasa, S. K. I. Wijewardena, Dong Qing Zhang, Richard M. Gersberg, C. S. Kalpage, Soon Keat Tan, Jing Yuan Wang, Wun Jern Ng
KEYWORDS:
Meda Ela, Sri Lanka, Environment; Pollution; Water Quality
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Water Resource and Protection,
Vol.4 No.7,
June
18,
2012
ABSTRACT: Unplanned urban population growth in developing countries such as Sri Lanka exert pressures on the sectors of water supply, sewage disposal, waste management, and surface drainage in the cities as well as their surrounding areas. The Mid-canal is considered the most polluted surface water body in the Kandy district of Sri Lanka and contributes significantly to pollution of the Mahaweli River. Health problems in the nearby population may well be associated with environmental degradation and related to deteriorated water quality. The overall objectives of this study were to identify the socio-economic status of the community settled along the Meda Ela banks, and to examine the current water quality status of the Meda Ela and possible impacts of the nearby residents on water quality. Additionally, we propose remedial measures concerning wastewater and solid waste disposal to improve environmental conditions in this area.