Progress of Water Environmental Governance/Management and Future Challenges in Sri Lanka

Transcription

1 AYUBOWAN

2 Progress of Water Environmental Governance/Management and Future Challenges in Sri Lanka By Dr. R M S K Ratnayake Director Central Environmental Authority Sri Lanka

3 Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

4 Introduction About Sri Lanka Rich in Natural Resources 103 Rivers Cover All Island More than 1000 Lakes 9 Provinces and 25 Districts Capital is Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte in Colombo District Km2 of Total Land Area 20 Million Population 2000 mm of Annual Average Rainfall Provides Millions m3 of Fresh Water

5 1. State of Water Quality Water Quality Status (BOD, COD) of few Major Water Courses in SL River/Lake BOD, mg/l COD, mg/l Kelani River 2 10 Bolgoda Lake Mahaoya Mahaweli River Gregory Lake Kandy Lake 7 18 Lunawa Lagoon 25 50

6 BOD Variation of Mahaweli River Down Up Stream Stream Nov 14 mg/l 17 mg/l Dec 6 mg/l 7 mg/l Jan mg/l 9 mg/l

7 BOD Variation of Kandy Lake Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan 2011 B O D C O D

8 Changes in Water Quality Continuous monitoring of water quality for few waterways started in 2009 by CEA Mahaweli River, Kandy Lake, Kelani River According to available data not significant change observed during the past 3 years Kidney failures in North Central Provincial areas due to Drinking water problem (40-50 people died in last few years)

9 2.Changes of Organisational Arrangement Related to Water Quality Management Overall responsibility with regulatory power- Central Environmental Authority Drinking water and sewage Management- National Water Supply & Drainage Board Lakes and Irrigation canals- Irrigation Department Mahaweli River and its constructed reservoirs- Mahaweli Authority From 2004-; Not any main changes in institutional setup

10 3. Water Quality Management Policies National Policy Document for whole Environment in Haritha Lanka Programme, Cabinet approved Mission No. 7 out of 10 is for Water Environment- Water for all and always Strategies: Establish a systematic water allocation system and improve efficiency and quality in water distribution for various purposes Organize a rehabilitation scheme for small tanks and revitalize the tank cascade system developed

11 Transform the irrigation system to meet new challenges Keep drinking water resources free from contamination through proper zoning and control measures Integrate conservation, re-use and recycling practices at all levels of water use Strictly enforce the polluter pay principle for water polluting industries Strengthen implementation of integrated water resource management systems Reduce fertilizer leaching and eutrophication

12 4. Changes in Laws, Regulations & Standards Umbrella Act for the Environment- NEA (1980, Regulatory Power in 1988) Implementing Institution CEA (Established in 1981) After No any changes/amendments in the main law Amendment to the main law is in progress A joint cabinet paper submitted by CEA and NWS&DB for policy on locating high polluting activities down streams of the water intakes- but it has approved subject to some amendments

13 In Regulations for water pollution control has been amended EPL required activity lists has been changed Wastewater discharge standards has been changed Hospitals and laboratories included New parameters included, colour, detergent Regulation made for hazardous waste management, hospitals, heavy metals etc.

14 5. Goals of Water Quality Management Policy in short-/mid-term (2-10 years) Most of the point sources of water pollution are identified during the last year survey 90% of them to be controlled in next 2 years period Wastewater load to the waterways to be reduced by applying load based licence system in next year New regulation will be prepared for locating polluting industries/activities up streams of the water intakes- this year

15 Sea out falls to be constructed for sewage disposal in populated cities next 10 years Wastewater discharge standards to be amended in this year Continuous water quality monitoring in main rivers and lake in next 5 years Regulation to be made for site recommendation procedure for locating industrial activities

16 6. Challenges in Water Quality Management Issues/challenges related to Ambient WQ standards No any ambient WQ standard established From year 2008 CEA is engaging with this task Without baseline data on WQ of water courses, many difficulties in this process CEA called meetings with other relevant institutions NWS&DB, NARA, Irrigation etc.

17 Issues/challenges related to industrial effluents Economical issues in small and medium enterprises for pollution control Technology Weaknesses in law enforcement Willingness to apply cleaner technologies

18 Issues/challenges related in domestic effluents No any strong existing law Lack of sewage network facility at least for populated cities Encroachments of reservations of the waterways Unavailability of proper zoning plans in local government authorities

19 Disposal of raw sewage to surface waters

20 Disposal of Solid waste into surface waters

21 Encroachments of river bank

22 Improper urbanization in lagoon

23 Issues/challenges related to enclosed water bodies lakes and reservoirs Nutrients accumulation Agrochemical accumulation Silt deposition Industrial effluent discharges Standards are same as the standards for flowing water bodies Funds for monitoring and rehabilitation

24 Issues/challenges related to ground water Facilities for sampling and analysis Lack of available baseline data Less research on this subject

25 Issues/challenges related to water quality monitoring Allocation from national budget Laboratory staff-chemists etc. Lack of coordination in relevant institutions Non continuation of monitoring Failures in self reporting system in industries

26 Water Sampling Using Mobile Laboratory

27 Thank You