Abstract:
One of the pressing issues in the Jaffna peninsula is scarcity of drinking water. The main reason is
pollution of groundwater and unavailability of perennial freshwater sources. But the seasonal
rainfall brings adequate fresh water to the peninsula. This is the only way to recharge natural ponds
and aquifers situated in the area. Rainwater can be used alternatively to fulfil total water demand.
But an efficient system to harvest and store rainwater is not available. On that reason most of the
rainwater flows to the sea or percolates to the ground immediately without any utilisation. In the
district some considerable number of small ponds and shallow lagoons are available to find
alternatives to collect and store rainwater for domestic needs. However, due to the lack of available
studies on this area, the study mainly focused to identify suitable ponds and lagoons for conversion
to use as rainwater collection storages. Velanai and Kayts Divisional Secretariat Divisions in Jaffna
district were selected as the study area. Further, Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global
Positioning System (GPS) techniques such as spatial analysis and watershed delineation were
employed as main tools to identify locations for constructing rainwater collection reservoirs. Based
on the GIS analysis, the study found that fifty-two ponds and three lagoons which can be converted
as large freshwater storages. Moreover, ten suitable locations are identified to establish rainwater
retention tanks. This research will be important in the process of mitigating a critical part of the
drinking water issue in Jaffna district.
