CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2019
| Author | Thirukeswaran, Shynuga |
|---|---|
| Title | Beyond the Case of Northern Power Plant and Oil Waste Contamination in Chunnakam, Sri Lanka: Social, Economic and Environmental Implications |
| Summary | Groundwater contamination is one of the major concern in Sri Lanka where Chunnakam Aquifer pollution occurred since 2008 due to oil wastage contamination from Northern Power plant. It created a huge impact on local people who depend mainly on Groundwater sources to meet their domestic and agricultural needs. This study aims to understand the social, economic and environmental impacts on the livelihoods of local people caused by Chunnakam Aquifer Pollution. A community-based retrospective cross-sectional study was done among 60 participants in the Chunnakam South region. All the participants in this study live closer to the Chunnakam Power Station. It was found out that, 60% of them are aware of the safety level of their water source. Further, 85% of the participants started purchasing water from the shops after the contamination was identified. Among them, 58% of them changed the water source after the recommendation from Public health inspectors. The participants on average spend 1942 LKR on purchasing water on a monthly basis. These results and responses indicates the economic loss, economic burden on families, health hazards, property loss, and severe pollution that are caused by Chunnakam Aquifer pollution. Government with the help of local councillors provided a limited amount of water to affected people on a daily basis as a temporary solution. Thus, the Government and other responsible authorities including the Northern provincial council should take proper action to solve the impacts caused by groundwater pollution and ensure the basic needs are met by local people in a sustainable way. |
| Supervisor | Centofanti, Tiziana |
| Department | Environment Sciences and Policy MSc |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2019/thirukeswaran_shynug.pdf |
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