Water of Dickoya Canal turns black

Fishermen of Castlereagh Reservoir said that the water, which flew mainly to Castlereagh Reservoir via the Dickoya Canal, had turned black recently.

Due to prevailing dry weather in the region, the capacity of flowing water level of Dickoya Canal has been decreased and the water level of Castlereagh Reservoir has also decreased, the fishermen said.

The water of the canal turned black due to mixing burnt oil and waste tea of tea factories being released to the Dickoya Canal without following a proper system of environment, Officials of the National Aquatic Development Authority (NAQDA) in Nuwara Eliya said. People of the area and the Estate Workers of Wanaraja Estate suffered because of this pollution. The canal water was black for several hours and the people had been compelled to use the water for daily requirements, as there was no alternative

Strict conditions have been imposed to the Superintendents of Estates and the Tea Companies by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) not to release waste of factories, waste tea into the environment.

Investigations are being conducted separately by the Hatton Police and the NAQDA in connection with the incident.