N'Eliya Gregory Lake's water could pose serious health risk, CEA confirms

Drinking water from Nuwara Eliya’s Gregory Lake could pose a serious risk to human life, with the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) scientifically confirming that consumption of the water could even be fatal, Chairman of the Nuwara Eliya District Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Manjula Suraweera Arachchi said.

He made the remarks based on reports presented by the Central Environmental Authority at a recent District Development Committee meeting.

According to him, Gregory Lake, which was constructed during the British colonial period and originally fed water from several small reservoirs, is currently in a highly polluted state.

He said that over time, the small reservoirs had become silted up, resulting in pesticides, fertilizers, various chemicals and other waste used in up-country agricultural activities entering Gregory Lake and dangerously altering its water composition.

According to data from the Central Environmental Authority, while the normal phosphate level in water should be around 0.20 milligrams, the level in Gregory Lake has risen to 1.04 milligrams.

Similarly, the nitrogen level, which should normally be around 0.50 milligrams, has increased to 3.70 milligrams, while the biochemical oxygen demand has risen to 9.72 milligrams.

He further said these significant deviations in water quality pose a serious threat to human life.

He further said that the Ministry of Environment, the Urban Development Authority and the Irrigation Department are currently working through a joint committee to plan further measures to address the crisis.