Investigation of water quality and prospective issues in Kurunegala Municipal Council area

Abstract

The prime objective of this study is investigating the existing status of water quality and related health issues, caused by the contaminated water. The results revealed that the pH value of the collected two water samples from the North East Grama Niladari Division (GND) of Kurunegala Municipal Council (KMC) area shows as 6.36 and 6.40, which are below the required standards. Similarly, West GND 5.95 and 6.21, Theliyagonna GND 6.48 and 5.75, North 6.0, Illuppugedara 6.21 and 6.44 and Udawalpola 5.31. Accordingly, the lowest pH value was observed in the Udawalpola GNDs. The EC value of two water samples, taken from west GND reached to 1167𝜇𝑠/𝑐𝑚 and 1552𝜇𝑠/𝑐𝑚, which are beyond the standard and undesirable level for consumption. Further samples collected from the North (1073 𝜇𝑠/𝑐𝑚) and illupugedara (1156 𝜇𝑠/𝑐𝑚 & 1521 𝜇𝑠/𝑐𝑚) GNDs recorded unfavorable results in terms of its EC value. This situation creates multifarious health and other issues to the dwellers of KMC area. KMC must understand the necessity of an integrated system to control and manage water quality of the area and to find a sustainable solution.