National Policy for Reducing Ground Water Pollution During Transport Infrastructure Development in Sri Lanka

Sustainable Transport & Logistics

TL 4023

Continuous Assessment #5

This document declares the National Water Protection Policy of Sri Lanka, and requests out the implementing strategies, specific targets and milestones through which the Government of Sri Lanka and its people will endeavor to reduce the ground water pollution in the coming years to achieve sustainable development.

Short title

1.1   Transport Infrastructure Development in Sri Lanka

The necessity of transport infrastructure is increased rapidly. During past years vehicle usage of Sri Lanka has been grown continuously. Therefor government has to be concerned the aspect of transport supply management. At the moment there are not enough facilities to provide better protection for underground water and natural soil sources.  The condition and technical design of the transport related infrastructure are critical in determining their pollution potential. This policy is focused on whether these infrastructures are designed to prevent or minimize pollution of underground water as well as whether or not maintenance and repair are conducted regularly.

1.2  Types of Transport Related Infrastructure

Basically this policy is covered transport related infrastructures such as roads, highways, bridges, railways, tunnels, porous pavement materials and all other related transport physical facilities.

1.3  Impacts for Groundwater from Transport Infrastructure

Construction of transport related infrastructures can change flow paths and percolation patterns by relocating soil. It can lead to pollution through injuring the protective layers above the aquifer, and through pollution occurring during the construction activity. In order to make the constructions mostly machines are used. When machines are used spillage are frequently happen when machines are refueled. It is caused to contaminate the natural soil and water.  Temporary facilities may not be subject to the same level of scrutiny or assessment as a permanent installation. Siting of such construction compounds should be subject to pollution risk assessments and adequate mitigation measures implemented.

Introduction of Policy

Covered Areas

2.1 Existing Policies

In 2014 the ‘Ministry of Land and Land Development’ has been made a policy for protect the water source which name is ‘National Policy on Protection and Conservation of Water Sources, their Catchments and Reservations in Sri Lanka’. That policy hasn’t been focused specially on groundwater pollution. So that new policy mainly focused on said areas.

 2.2 Policy Vision and Goal

All the water sources would be treated as a public natural resource belonging to Sri Lanka. The main vision of the establishment of this policy is sustainable protection of the water recourses for future generations. The primary intention of the policy optimum management and taking protecting actions of water source and water sources areas.

2.3 Policies for Underground Water Protection

      2.3.1 Before starting the constriction of all infrastructures (mentioned in 1.2 clause) shall submit feasibility study including all environmental impacts with time lines of the project.

      2.3.2 The all relevant bodies shall inform to ministry regarding the types of equipment use for constructions and their weight rates. Then ministry will assess the impact for surface, underground soil and water.

      2.3.3 Test the capacity and condition of underground water in the reservoirs and their source areas where transport constructions are take place. If the area would be highly water sources area optional decisions would be made.

      2.3.4 During the construction period all machines and equipment shall be refueled and maintained in proper depots. All scrapped fuels and other vehicle parts cannot be put into earth surface.

     2.3.5 Review adequacy of design and compliance with plans and regulations and inspect sites regularly (including construction sites) and test functioning of facilities.

     2.3.6 When construct the road infrastructures for very busy roads (average daily traffic volume > 15000) road drainage system should be separated with sewage system. Both systems cannot be underpass the water catchment areas.

    2.3.7 All the transport constructions which are constructed above 5000 feet from sea level shall govern and empowered by special local authorities under the ‘Ministry of Land and Land Development’.

    2.3.8. Management plans should be developed and applied to applications of chemical usage in construction sites and subjecting the plans to regular audit helps ensure that they are implemented correctly.

     2.3.9. Review staff performances during both simulated and real situations and modify the training if necessary.

     2.3.10 Check record drawings and documentation of construction details.

     2.3.11 All the mentioned policies are covered the temporary construction and transport infrastructures.

     2.3.12 Monitoring of activities and follow up action will be taken by as necessary.

3.1 Expected Benefits

      3.1.1 Improve Water Quality

Currently most of times water is polluted because of mix with more chemicals and other spillages of human activities. It causes to create more negative impacts on health aspect.

      3.1.2 Improving Water System Efficiency, Reliability and Sustainability  

From external forces natural water sources may be blocked. The underground water catchment area is spread vast area and people are used to consume that water. When it blocks water is not spread as usually. So this policy is make sure the sustainable existence of underground water source.

      3.1.3 Sustainable Land Use

Prevent the unnecessary land use is also expected one of major benefit from this policy. Water catchment areas are highly damaged because of unnecessary land use pattern. Especially policy is focused on land use in upcountry areas. All constructions which are caused to threat for natural land use are covered by the policy.

      3.1.4  Property Value Premiums

People value living near healthy clean water.  Home and land values declined by normally ten times than usual value declines in water quality. People can get more economic value for their property.

      3.1.5 Improve Quality of Life

Public health organizations have long acknowledged the link between water and air quality to human health. When the all said benefits are achieved automatically the quality of life will increase of human being. It will maintain good balance between human activities and environmental sustainability.

Present Context

New Policy

Policy statement

Overall Expected Benefits