Management of Kelani River basin through Multi – Stakeholder partnership

Title : Management of Kelani River basin through Multi – Stakeholder partnership

Abstract:

The Kelani River provides drinking water for over 5 million populations in Colombo and suburbs with the abstraction of 900,000 m3/day raw water to the water treatment plants in Ambatale, Biyagama, Pugoda, Ruwanwella and Avissawell. The water resource is potentially impacted by over 10,000 businesses in the basin with about 3,000 having Environmental Pollution Licenses; agricultural pollution from Tea, Rubber, Paddy, Vegetable and Export Crops; and urban pollution from 25 local authorities and three municipalities. Over a five-year period, on the average, over 2,800 tons of sediments passed near Hanwella, annually. Similarly, over 65 tons of nitrogen travel passed Hanwella. The Total Coliform concentrations exceeded 5,000 MPN/100 mL drinking water standard more than 70%, year around in river locations at Kaduewela, Hanwella and Seethawaka. The parameters that frequently exceeded the standards were COD (37% times), BOD (13% times) Dissolved Oxygen (43% times), Heavy metals (7% times), Total Coliforms, free ammonia and Organic contaminants. Results of this comprehensive study revealed that intake water exceeded the inland raw water quality standards (SLS 722: 1985)
These pollutions originating from multiple socio-economic sectors required a multi-sector and multi-stakeholder approach. The Kelani River Multi-Stakeholder Partnership (KRMP) approach developed in collaboration with about 50 Government Agencies in 2016 uses three entry levels, namely, Govt. basin level initiatives; Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs); and Public-Private-Community Partnerships (PPCPs), to protect the water resources. The PPCP approach empowers communities based on water quality measured at 71 minor watersheds. Results indicated a significant variation along the river gradient. Approval has been granted for the Kelani River basin Management plan and emergency response plans are prepared to assure the water safety during incidents.

Biography:

L.P.R.J.Wijesinghe was graduated from University of Colombo, Sri Lanka – BSc (Hons) degree in Natural Science. After graduation he has joined the Department of Chemistry, University of Colombo as a Demonstrator then as a Researcher. He has obtained P.G.Diploma in the field of Toxicology and M.Sc. degree in the field of Analytical Chemistry from the same university. He has started his water sector carrier as a Regional Chemist attach to the National Water Supply & Drainage Board in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. After successful completion of the eight years regional works, he was promoted to the Senior Chemist position in NWSDB then Chief Chemist position and Assistant General Manager in Water Quality management. He has gained continuous thirty-three years experiences in the field of water quality monitoring with the operation of high-end analytical instruments – AAS with GTA, GC/MS etc. After completion of carrier in NWSDB then join to the Department of National Community Water Supply with UNICEF funded project to improve laboratory services and water quality in Community Base Organizations. He has published twenty number of research papers in local and international journals. He has undergone many training programs locally as well as internationally – Lake Water quality management course in Japan, LC/MS training course at Waters in India, Analytical Skills Development Course in Helsinky University in Finland and same time as a resource person for many training programs in water sector. He is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon and also a Chartered Chemist.