The current nitrate levels in drinking water in Jaffna peninsula are much higher than the WHO and SLS levels. The nitrate-N content of groundwater in the Jaffna Peninsula ranges from 0.1 to 45 mg/L as per the literature though the permissible nitrate-N level in drinking water is 10 mg/L.

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. “
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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.
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4. • Removal of nitrate.
• Iron exchange.
• Reverse osmosis.
• Electrodialysis.
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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
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