Gregory Lake contamination reaches critical levels

Drinking water from Nuwara Eliya’s Lake Gregory could pose a serious risk to human life, with scientific assessments by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) indicating that consuming its water could potentially be fatal, Chairman of the Nuwara Eliya District Coordinating Committee and MP Manjula Suraweera Arachchi said.

He made the remarks based on reports submitted by the CEA at a recent District Development Committee meeting.

According to Suraweera Arachchi, Lake Gregory constructed during the British colonial era and originally fed by several small reservoirs, is now severely polluted.

He said the reservoirs had gradually become silted up, allowing pesticides, fertilisers, chemicals and other waste from agricultural activities in the up-country region to enter the lake and significantly alter its water quality.

CEA data indicate that phosphate levels in Gregory Lake have risen to 1.04 milligrams, compared with a normal level of around 0.20 milligrams.

Nitrogen levels have similarly increased to 3.70 milligrams from the normal level of around 0.50 milligrams, while biochemical oxygen demand has risen to 9.72 milligrams.

Suraweera Arachchi said the significant deterioration in water quality posed a serious threat to human health and safety.

He added that the Ministry of Environment, the Urban Development Authority and the Irrigation Department are working through a joint committee to identify and implement measures to address the situation.