Reviewing of effluent discharge
standards in Sri Lanka

Dr. Mahesh Jayaweera
University of Moratuwa

Background Regulations were made under Section 32 of National

Environmental Act, No. 47 of 1080, as amended by Act
No 56 of 1988 read with Article 44(2) of constitution
No.
 These regulations were cited as National Environmental(Protection & Quality) Regulations
 1st set of standards came into force in 08th January 1990
 1st revision came into force in 01st February 2008 which
has been yet in force
 2nd revision is in progress 1st set of standards and 1st revision were tied up with theregulations pertaining to EPL
 However, 2nd revision is planned to be made as standalone regulation

1

1st set of standards
Addressed

General standards for discharge
g of effluents into inland surface
waters
Limits for industrial effluents discharged on land for irrigation
purposes
Limits for industrial & domestic effluents discharged into marine
coastal areasLimits for effluents from rubber factories discharged into surface
waters
Limits for effluents from textile industry discharged into surface
waters
Limits for effluents from tanning industry discharged into surface
or marine coastal areas

General standards
showing water
quality parameters21st Revision

Addressed










Limits for discharge of industrial waste into inland surface waters
Limits for industrial waste discharged on land for irrigation
purposes
Limits for industrial & domestic waste discharged into marine
coastal areas
Limits for waste from rubber factories discharged into inlandsurface waters
Limits for waste from textile industry discharged into inlandsurface waters
Limits for waste from tanning industry discharged into surface ormarine coastal areas
Limits for discharge of effluents into public sewers with central
treatment plants

What is more in 1st revision New water quality parameters addedColour Dissolved phosphate Total Kjeldhahl N Iron Detergents/ Surfactants
 Faecal coliforms
 Chromium Hexavalent Hydraulic loading applicable for different

types of soils

32nd Revision plannedCertain criteria leading to either maximum or
minimum values in the present standard may resultin ambiguous situations and also several
complaints and observations have been received
since the last review in 2008

Hence,11 thrust areas being identified to berevised and 11 subsub-committees appointed

11 Thrust areas
1.
2.
3.

4.

5
5.

6.

To prepare a separate set of standards for sea outfall (long /short)
To prepare a separate set of standards for discharge ofdomestic wastewater (both black /grey)
T prepare a separate set off standardsTo
d d ffor discharge
di hoff
treated effluents (both industrial & domestic) to publicsewers
To study the effectiveness of 1: 8 dilution scenario and to
propose recommendations for dilution factor in discharge
and receiving treated wastewater in streams, rivers andwater bodies
To study the existing levels of pollutants for discharge oftreated water (Industrial / Domestic) on land for irrigation orreplenishment of water table
To study the odour characteristics for the discharge oftreated wastewater (both industrial & domestic)4

To study the effectiveness and applicability of the following parametersin the wastewater discharge standards
BOD - can we have a reliable value?
TSS - Is max. particle size meaningful?
Temperature (discharging ) – Study from the ecological pointof view
Phenolic Compounds – Diff. types of compounds present
Fluorides – high value , to be studied furtherSulphate - Limits should be included
Chromium hexavalent – No measurement to detect the level/
remove?
Mercury - limits measurable or not
Pesticides – How accurate this is?
phosphatesp– Is this value reasonable?
Dissolved p
Cyanide - clarify the form free/ionic
Detergents/ surfactants - Propose a method for measurement
Total/ faecal coliform – too difficult to comply withRadio active waste – Is this reasonable?

7.

List IV – Rubber Industry
9. List V
V-- Textile Industry
10. List VI – Tanningg Industryy11. To prepare a set of standards for dischargeof leachate from municipal solid waste
disposal facility
8.

5

Evaluation team
 Prof. (Mrs) N. Ratnayake – University of

Moratuwa
 Dr. Mahesh Jayaweera - University ofMoratuwa
 Dr. A.M. Mubarak – Director/ITI
 Mrs. Ramani Ellepola – Director General/CEA
 Mr. K.H. Muthukudaarachchi – Deputy
Director General ( EPC) /CEA

Working Group 1:To prepare a separate set ofstandards for sea out fall (long / short)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.

Group Leader : Mr. G.A. Kumararatne, Addl. GM (Sewerage) – NWSDBConvener : Mr. N. Manorathne (AD/EPC) - Central Environmental Authority
Mr. R.S. Warusamana PD(GCWMP)() - NWSDB
Mrs. Kumudini Samarasinghe (Superintendent Eng.) - CMC
Mr. Jagath Gunasekera (Asst. Manager) - Marine Environment Protecting Agency
Mr. Bandula Wickamaarachchi (Snr. Eng) - Coast Conservation Department
Mr. R.M.U. Senarath (Snr. DD) - Board of Investment of Sri Lanka
Mr. Asitha Seneviratne (Addl. Sec) - Ministry of Industries
Mr. Nihal Cooray - Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Gemunu Herath (Snr. Lecturer) - University of Peradeniya
Dr. R.N. Chandrajith (Snr. Lecturer) - University of Peradeniya
Mr. S.A.M. Asmi - NARA
Mrs. Chandima Gamage ( Development Asst.) - Tourist Board
Ms. Nilanthi Bandara (Snr. Lecturer) - University of Sri Jayawardenepura
Mr. A.M.K.B. Attanayake (DD) - UDA
Ms. Theja Senaratne (Acg. D) - SLSI
Mr. Nishanka Wasalabandara(Asst.GM) - Water Resources Board
Mr. B.M.J. Prermatillake (Planning Officer) - Coast Conservation Department

6TOR for the review & update of Effluent
Discharge Standards (Regulation No. 1534/18
dated 2008.02.01)
1.
2.
3.
4.

BackgroundP blProblem
Statement
St tt
Objectives of the Study
Literature Survey
5.

Methodology to be adopted



6.
7.
8.
9.

Sri Lankan Context
regional Context
SWOT analysis with all stakeholders
Scientific methods if adoptedp

Proposed Criteria
Recommendations and Future Improvements
References
Appendix

Way forward More realistic practical set of emission

standards
 Novel set of ambient standards which aretied up with emission standards
 Ambient standards – Case by case vsgeneral New measurement procedures for missing
parameters
 Standards for sediment quality

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Thank you8