Abstract:
Vadamaradchi aquifer is considered to be the best ground water source in Jaffna peninsula. Therefore, some wells in Vadamaradchi are used as collector wells which supplies water to fulfil domestic water requirements of the residents in Jaffna peninsula. The present study was conducted with the objectives of assessing physical and chemical parameters of water in selected wells in Vadamaradchi and to identify suitable home remedial techniques to treat the increased hardness of water. Variation of physical and chemical parameters of water collected form 10 collector wells in Vadamardchi aquifer were analyzed and were compared with those parameters in bottled drinking water (Knuckles brand) and with SLSI drinking water quality standard. Along with that the replicate water samples collected were subjected to boiling at 1000C for 10 minutes, filtration through commercial mineral filter and Moringa oleifera leaf powder filter. Total hardness (254.4 mg/L) of the collector wells exceeded the SLSI drinking water standards. Filtration through Moringa oleifera leaf powder filter significantly increased TH and filtration through commercial mineral filter did not caused a significant reduction in TH. However, boiling water at 1000C for 10 minutes significantly reduced TH accounting for 16 % reduction.
