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Groundwater Resources and Management Challenges in Sri Lanka–an Overview

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  • Karen Villholth

  • Lorraine Rajasooriyar

Abstract

This paper gives an overview of the geophysico-chemical groundwater conditions in Sri Lanka and the associated contemporary management challenges. Groundwater is extensively used in Sri Lanka today, for agriculture, domestic use and industry/tourism. Groundwater access, availability and vulnerability are governed by six major types of aquifer systems of which the most prevalent is the regolith aquifers in the central hard rock areas of the island. Uncontrolled groundwater use and contamination or natural poor quality are leading to access limitations and health concerns. The tsunami severely affected groundwater in the coastal areas and functioned as a wake-up call to further emphasize the importance of groundwater for life-supporting functions. Despite an emerging awareness, groundwater management is in its infancy, with the attitude of groundwater development still not converted into an approach of active management. The role of groundwater in achieving sustainable development and in the development of appropriate water management institutions needs to be highlighted and specifically addressed in policy discussions. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010

Suggested Citation

  • Karen Villholth & Lorraine Rajasooriyar, 2010. "Groundwater Resources and Management Challenges in Sri Lanka–an Overview," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 24(8), pages 1489-1513, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:waterr:v:24:y:2010:i:8:p:1489-1513
    DOI: 10.1007/s11269-009-9510-6
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    1. Frank A. Ward, 2025. "Addressing Global Water Challenges in 2025: an Integrated Framework for Research, Policy, and Resource Management," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 39(15), pages 7885-7918, December.
    2. K. R. Rushton & C. S. Silva, 2017. "Abstraction Strategies for Irrigation from Large Diameter Wells," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 31(7), pages 2257-2270, May.
    3. Wasantha Athukorala & Clevo Wilson, 2012. "Groundwater overuse and farm-level technical inefficiency: evidence from Sri Lanka," School of Economics and Finance Discussion Papers and Working Papers Series 279, School of Economics and Finance, Queensland University of Technology.
    4. Md Ali & Ismail Abustan & Md Rahman & Abu Haque, 2012. "Sustainability of Groundwater Resources in the North-Eastern Region of Bangladesh," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 26(3), pages 623-641, February.

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