Sources of Groundwater in Crystalline Hard Rocks of Kandy Area, Sri Lanka

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Jayawardena, U. de S.

Affiliations: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. E-mail: upali@soils.pdn.ac.lk

Abstract: Hydrogeological investigations were carried out to obtain sufficient information on groundwater availability in the fractured metamorphic rocks in Kandy district of Sri Lanka. 47 boreholes were drilled with the average depth of 90 metres and 24 high yielding wells were selected and long term pumping tests were carried out for each well using standard methods. The calculated total of pumping rates from all wells was 8150 metric cubes per day. Pump installation depth and dynamic water levels were also calculated and the pumping time was limited for 16 hours per day allowing eight hours for recovery. These groundwater supplies have been connected to the main public water supply and no serious problems have been recorded so far since the beginning of this project. This indicates that there are many hidden groundwater sources in hard rocky areas for future. Some recommendations to maintain the wells are given here.

Journal: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 1, no. 1-2, pp. 119-122, 2004