Abstract:
Jaffna peninsula is depending on groundwater for their entire water requirement.
Seasonal variation of groundwater quality is a matter of serious concern for Jaffna. Groundwater
quality becomes crucial during dry periods. There is a tendency for increased concentration of
geo chemical parameters in groundwater. The intake wells, which are used for water supply
activities are comparably used for extracting more water during the whole year in the identified
aquifers. They can easily respond to the seasonal impacts and over extraction than domestic
wells. This paper discusses the characteristics and suitability of the water supply in the identified
aquifers by analyzing the seasonal water quality and geochemical parameters. Secondary Water
quality data of intake wells from 2013 to 2017 and the seasonal and periodical variation of
geochemical parameters intake wells and control wells of the aquifer water were analyzed. All
intakes are showing periodical degradation due to the seasonal impacts and increased
consumption rate. Comparably the control wells are showing less quality variation with the
season. Prominently chloride ion is increasing in the intake wells; it may be due to the influence
of sea water. The aquifers are adjacent to salty water area, in these sand dune aquifers and there
is a high possibility of the salt water intrusion. Geochemical parameters have shown sea water
influences other than the geological influences. Therefore, all the aquifers are vulnerable to sea
water contamination. Pointpedro scheme needs additional water sources to meet the increasing
consumption.
