Evaluation of thermotolerant coliforms and salinity in the four available water sources of an irrigated region of Southern Sri Lanka

In many developing countries a close linkage exists between drinking and irrigation water; however, the effects of irrigation management on drinking water availability and quality, and what drinking water supplies are best suited to irrigated areas, have been little studied. Bacterial contamination...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Shortt, R., Boelee, Eline, Matsuno, Y., Faubert, G., Madramootoo, C., Hoek, Wim van der
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: 2003
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/41219
_version_ 1855527172818599936
author Shortt, R.
Boelee, Eline
Matsuno, Y.
Faubert, G.
Madramootoo, C.
Hoek, Wim van der
author_browse Boelee, Eline
Faubert, G.
Hoek, Wim van der
Madramootoo, C.
Matsuno, Y.
Shortt, R.
author_facet Shortt, R.
Boelee, Eline
Matsuno, Y.
Faubert, G.
Madramootoo, C.
Hoek, Wim van der
author_sort Shortt, R.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description In many developing countries a close linkage exists between drinking and irrigation water; however, the effects of irrigation management on drinking water availability and quality, and what drinking water supplies are best suited to irrigated areas, have been little studied. Bacterial contamination and salinity of drinking water sources in a community within the Uda Walawe irrigation system of southern Sri Lanka were monitored from August to December 2000. Water with the lowest combination of faecal contamination and salt content (highest quality) was found in shallow wells, recharged with seepage water from the irrigation system. Of these wells, those surrounded by a protective wall had the lowest levels of thermotolerant coliforms (median of 244 ThCU 100 ml-1) as compared to shallow wells without protective walls (549 ThCU 100 ml-1). Furthermore, tube well waters were highly saline (average of 0.67 mS cm-1), while canal and reservoir waters had high thermotolerant coliform levels (3940 and 950 ThCU 100 ml-1). Interseasonal canal closures eliminate the canals as a water source, lowering water levels in shallow wells, and thus reducing regional water availability. Concrete lining of canals may exacerbate the drying up of shallow wells during canal closure, therefore eliminating the primary source of water in the region that can be used for drinking after only simple treatment.
format Journal Article
id CGSpace41219
institution CGIAR Consortium
language Inglés
publishDate 2003
publishDateRange 2003
publishDateSort 2003
record_format dspace
spelling CGSpace412192023-06-12T14:33:01Z Evaluation of thermotolerant coliforms and salinity in the four available water sources of an irrigated region of Southern Sri Lanka Shortt, R. Boelee, Eline Matsuno, Y. Faubert, G. Madramootoo, C. Hoek, Wim van der domestic water irrigation water water quality wells water pollution seepage salinity tube wells filtration statistical analysis water scarcity In many developing countries a close linkage exists between drinking and irrigation water; however, the effects of irrigation management on drinking water availability and quality, and what drinking water supplies are best suited to irrigated areas, have been little studied. Bacterial contamination and salinity of drinking water sources in a community within the Uda Walawe irrigation system of southern Sri Lanka were monitored from August to December 2000. Water with the lowest combination of faecal contamination and salt content (highest quality) was found in shallow wells, recharged with seepage water from the irrigation system. Of these wells, those surrounded by a protective wall had the lowest levels of thermotolerant coliforms (median of 244 ThCU 100 ml-1) as compared to shallow wells without protective walls (549 ThCU 100 ml-1). Furthermore, tube well waters were highly saline (average of 0.67 mS cm-1), while canal and reservoir waters had high thermotolerant coliform levels (3940 and 950 ThCU 100 ml-1). Interseasonal canal closures eliminate the canals as a water source, lowering water levels in shallow wells, and thus reducing regional water availability. Concrete lining of canals may exacerbate the drying up of shallow wells during canal closure, therefore eliminating the primary source of water in the region that can be used for drinking after only simple treatment. 2003 2014-06-13T14:57:40Z 2014-06-13T14:57:40Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/41219 en Limited Access Shortt, R.; Boelee, E.; Matsuno, Y.; Faubert, G.; Madramootoo, C.; van der Hoek, W. 2003. Evaluation of thermotolerant coliforms and salinity in the four available water sources of an irrigated region of Southern Sri Lanka. Irrigation and Drainage, 52:133-146.
spellingShingle domestic water
irrigation water
water quality
wells
water pollution
seepage
salinity
tube wells
filtration
statistical analysis
water scarcity
Shortt, R.
Boelee, Eline
Matsuno, Y.
Faubert, G.
Madramootoo, C.
Hoek, Wim van der
Evaluation of thermotolerant coliforms and salinity in the four available water sources of an irrigated region of Southern Sri Lanka
title Evaluation of thermotolerant coliforms and salinity in the four available water sources of an irrigated region of Southern Sri Lanka
title_full Evaluation of thermotolerant coliforms and salinity in the four available water sources of an irrigated region of Southern Sri Lanka
title_fullStr Evaluation of thermotolerant coliforms and salinity in the four available water sources of an irrigated region of Southern Sri Lanka
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of thermotolerant coliforms and salinity in the four available water sources of an irrigated region of Southern Sri Lanka
title_short Evaluation of thermotolerant coliforms and salinity in the four available water sources of an irrigated region of Southern Sri Lanka
title_sort evaluation of thermotolerant coliforms and salinity in the four available water sources of an irrigated region of southern sri lanka
topic domestic water
irrigation water
water quality
wells
water pollution
seepage
salinity
tube wells
filtration
statistical analysis
water scarcity
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/41219
work_keys_str_mv AT shorttr evaluationofthermotolerantcoliformsandsalinityinthefouravailablewatersourcesofanirrigatedregionofsouthernsrilanka
AT boeleeeline evaluationofthermotolerantcoliformsandsalinityinthefouravailablewatersourcesofanirrigatedregionofsouthernsrilanka
AT matsunoy evaluationofthermotolerantcoliformsandsalinityinthefouravailablewatersourcesofanirrigatedregionofsouthernsrilanka
AT faubertg evaluationofthermotolerantcoliformsandsalinityinthefouravailablewatersourcesofanirrigatedregionofsouthernsrilanka
AT madramootooc evaluationofthermotolerantcoliformsandsalinityinthefouravailablewatersourcesofanirrigatedregionofsouthernsrilanka
AT hoekwimvander evaluationofthermotolerantcoliformsandsalinityinthefouravailablewatersourcesofanirrigatedregionofsouthernsrilanka