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Beira Lake; cleaning not the solution but identifying and eliminating pollution sources, says NARA
View(s):By Kasun Warakapitiya
The National Aquatic and Resources Research Agency (NARA) has recommended a proper monitoring mechanism to prevent further damage to the polluted Beira Lake.
The recommendation came in its report into the investigations into the deaths of several ducks in the lake last week.
However, it has held that although the lake was found to be not suitable for inland aquatic life, there was no large scale fish deaths reported during the time when the deaths of ducks were noted.
What killed these ducks: Probe underway. Pic by Akila Jayawardena
The poor water quality cannot be directly correlated to the deaths of ducks, the report says.
Accordingly, NARA recommended strict monitoring of other factors such as diet/feeding pattern of the birds to exclude this scenario and to find the actual cause of the incidents.
It has been recommended to manage pollution by identifying the source of pollution and eliminating the source instead of repeatedly attempting to clean it.
The report suggested that a comprehensive water quality monitoring programme should include parameters such as dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity and nutrient levels to take decisions and interventions to improve water quality.
NARA chairman Dr Sanath Hettiarchchi
Apart from that, it recommended establishing a comprehensive waste management strategy and a centralised waste treatment facility for the Colombo municipal area.
The Chairman of the National Aquatic Resources Research Agency, Dr Sanath Hettiarchchi told the Sunday Times that based on data there is not much of a difference in water quality of the Beira Lake after the incident.
He said the lake is well known for being a highly polluted water body, yet the water quality change was not relevant to kill the birds unless there is some unidentified chemical had been added to the water.
“We cannot immediately detect such a chemical. If there is suspicion, then we have to do some specific chemical analysis. A foreign chemical will not be detected by routine monitoring,” he said.
Dr Hettiarachchi said that even if people make allegations that a chemical was added to the lake, they could first see how it has been used in other places and how animal life is affected in those areas.
“If there was a chemical introduced to the lake it is a useless effort to check for the maximum level of chemicals now, as the chemicals might be diluted over time,” he said.
He said that as a microbiologist he does not believe in using microorganisms to improve water quality, as such organisms cannot adapt to all environments. According to him, the possibility of such organisms causing the deaths of the ducks is very remote.
If microorganisms are used in the lake, it should be done after a study, he said. The CMC could have asked them to check effectiveness.
Dr Hettiarachachi said
authorities had been repeatedly told to manage the pollution. And in the recent report, a recommendation was made to identify the source of pollution and eliminate the sources of pollution rather than repeated cleaning.
CMC Chief Veterinary Surgeon Dr. M. Ijas said that according to initial reports from the Homagama veterinary investigation centre, avian flu is not the cause of death.
Samples however have been sent to the veterinary research institute of Peradeniya for further rapid tests to check if the ducks had died of avian flu. Dr Ijas said he had alsosent blood samples for many other tests to learn the cause of death and the reports were due next week.
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