Identifying Current Trends in Source Selection of Household Water Use in Pohaddaramulla, Kalutara

Abstract

Sri Lankan Drinking Water Supply Policy is committed for the sustainable use of drinking water, while addressing reliability and safety of the resource. . In this research, trends in the selection of water sources for household use in Pohaddaramulla area are addressed. Tube wells, open wells, and mains supply from the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS&DB) are the main water sources used in the area. However, some areas are not covered by the NWS&DB services as yet. Various trends in selecting water sources by the consumers are found. Ground water sources are used while using the mains supply. Data collected through a questionnaire, rainfall data, evapotranspiration data, runoff calculations, and various other sources were used to analyse the current trends and identify their sustainability. Several types of trends are found in this area. Out of the families that use mains supply, 35% is using the mains supply as their only source of water. Remaining 65% uses other water sources while using the mains supply. A 40% of the sample does not use the mains supply. From them, 66% uses tube wells and 31% uses open wells with pumping. Only 3% of them uses tube wells and open wells. Our analysis points out that the current trend is not sustainable even at present. In the future, it will not be sustainable as the ground water demand by the residents cannot be fulfilled by the current conditions. There is no recharge to the ground water storage. Therefore, alternative water sources are needed. Also, there is a risk of saltwater intrusion. These issues can be further studied in the future researches. The information obtained from this study can be used by NWS&DB for planning the extension of service area.