Analysis of physicochemical parameters and selected potentially toxic elements to assess the water quality of Kattakaduwa reservoir in Hambanthota district, Sri Lanka

Abstract

The study was aimed to assess the water quality of Kattakaduwa reservoir in Hambantota district, Sri Lanka. Reservoir water is not directly used for drinking purposes until purification, but people use it for different purposes such as bathing and irrigation. A comprehensive study on the water quality of this reservoir water was timely needed due to the scarcity of such information. Monthly variation in seven physicochemical parameters and five potentially toxic elements (Mn, Fe, Cu, Cd and Pb) of water at five different sites compared to treated reference water samples were studied for 2017. Sediment analysis of the five elements at four different sites was also carried out. At the site closer to the inlet of the pump house before purification (site 3S), the mean values (± SD) of water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, sulphate