The document discusses nitrate contamination in drinking water in the Jaffna Peninsula, where levels significantly exceed permissible limits set by WHO and SLS. Nitrate sources include agricultural fertilizers, livestock confinement, and leaky sewerage systems, posing health risks such as blue baby syndrome and potential cancers. It outlines methods for nitrate removal and references several studies related to water quality in the region.

1. (AG 4015)
Land Use and Environmental
Quality
Index number :-
2017T00129
2017T00076
2017T00155
2017T00143 1

2. What is with” nitrate contamination in ground water”
“The current nitrate levels in drinking water in Jaffna are much higher than the
WHO and SLS levels. The nitrate-N concentration in the Jaffna peninsula ranges
from o.1 to 45 mg/L as per the literature though the permissible nitrate-N level in
drinking water is 10mg/L. “
2
INTRODUCTION
What is Ground water?
The water contained beneath the surface in rocks and soils, and is the water that accumulates underground in
aquifer are ground water.
❑ Jaffna peninsula,
• Underlain by Miocene limestone which provide suitable aquifer properties for ground water
storage/discharge.
• Ground water the most dependent water source for drinking and for irrigation for agricultural lands.
• An agricultural area with a high potential for cultivation agricultural cash crops

3. Sources for nitrate contamination
• Nitrate pollution sources are divided into two
categories
1. Nonpoint (diffuse) sources
2. Point-sources
• Agricultural fertilizers (mainly synthetic
fertilizers) application
• Concentrated livestock confinement
• Leaky sewerage systems
• Areas of chemical or manure storage
• Accidental spills of nitrogen rich compounds
• Household waste water
Figure 1 : Nitrate-N concentration
pattern in Kondavil and Thirunelvely.
3

4. • Removal of nitrate.
• Iron exchange.
• Reverse osmosis.
• Electrodialysis.
4
Health Hazardous
• Nitrate concentrated water it causes blue baby
syndrome.
• It may be the causal agent of tumors and gastro-
intestinal cancers.
Recommendation

5. References
o Aravinthan A, Jasotha P (2011). Effect of pipe line sources on drinking water quality in selected areas
in Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka. Second International Symposium in Water Quality and Human Health,
PGIS, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
o Baskaran S, Mageswaran R (1992). Analysis of Water and soil samples from selected Areas in Jaffna
Peninsula. Department of Chemistry, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
o Dimuthu WM, Suvendran S (2017). Assessment of the Efficacy of Home remedial methods to improve
Drinking water quality in Two major Aquifer systems in Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka. Scientifica
(Hindawi) 2007:6.. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9478589
5