Water in Nuwara Eliya’s Gregory Lake has reached a level of pollution that could pose a serious risk to human health if consumed, according to findings presented by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Nuwara Eliya District Coordinating Committee Chairman and Member of Parliament Manjula Suraweera Arachchi said.
Suraweera Arachchi said the findings were presented by the CEA at a recent district development committee meeting.
He said Gregory Lake, which was originally designed during the British colonial period to receive water from several smaller reservoirs, is now severely polluted.
According to Suraweera Arachchi, the silting of the smaller reservoirs over time has resulted in pesticides, fertilisers, other chemicals and waste from surrounding agricultural areas entering Gregory Lake and altering its water composition.
CEA data showed that the phosphate level in the lake was 1.04 milligrams, compared with the normal level of 0.20 milligrams in water, he said.
The nitrogen level was recorded at 3.70 milligrams, compared with the normal level of 0.50 milligrams, while the biochemical oxygen demand was recorded at 9.72 milligrams, according to the data presented.
Suraweera Arachchi said the findings indicated a serious deterioration in the lake’s water quality and posed a significant threat to human health.
The Ministry of Environment, Urban Development Authority and Irrigation Department are working through a joint committee to plan measures to address the situation, he said. (Newswire)