Chandrasekara, C M K N K; Weerasinghe, K D N; Pathirana, S and Piyadasa, R U K (2018) Stresses over surface water sources in a human dominated environment: A case study in Hamilton canal, Sri Lanka. International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, 9(2), pp. 184-197. ISSN 1759-5916
Abstract
Purpose: The Hamilton canal in the western province of Sri Lanka is a man-made canal situated in an area with immense anthropogenic pressures. The purpose of this study is to identify the quality variations of the water in Hamilton canal and human perception about the present status of the water of the canal. Design/methodology/approach: Sampling has been carried out in seven locations in the canal during dry and wet periods for water quality analysis. In situ field-testing and laboratory analysis have been conducted for physicochemical, heavy metal, oil and grease analysis of water. Only Pb, Cd, oil and grease were tested in the canal sediments. The samples were analyzed as per the standard methods of the American Public Health Association (APHA) Manual: 20th edition. A semi-structured questionnaire survey has been carried out to assess the human perception on the water of the canal. Findings: The results revealed that average EC, Turbidity, Total Hardness, TDS, F−, Fe2+, Cl−, SO4 2− and PO4 3− of the canal water remained above the threshold limits of inland water standards. Concentrations of Pb and Cd were also above the standards in some locations. Oil and grease were in a very high level in water and sediments. Originality/value: The water of the canal has been affected by nutrient, heavy metal and oil and grease pollution at present. Discharge of domestic, industrial, municipal wastes and sewage are the prominent reasons which have encouraged the deterioration of the quality of water in the canal.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | anthropogenic factors; risk identification; spatial distribution; Sri Lanka; water and sediments; water quality |
| Index terms: | spatial distribution, pollution, case study, public health, in-situ, sewage, water quality, sampling, Sri Lanka, testing, metal, surface water, canal, laboratory, deterioration, survey, risk identification, variation, methodology, questionnaire |
| Subjects: | environmental health, environmental engineering, occupational health, infrastructure and transport systems, building construction, research management, financial risk, contractual condition, Geography, traditional and composite building materials, research methods, material degradation and durability, professional practice, geographical analysis, waste management, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Contract Administration, Sustainability, Engineering Principles, Construction Materials, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Health and Safety, Cost Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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