Preparation of a plan for environmental management of the Heraliyawala Industrial Park in the North Western provincial council area

Abstract

This study was done to assess the environmental, hygienic and social condition and suggest methods of improvement of unsatisfactory aspects in the Heraliyawala Industrial Park which is one of the Industrial Estates in Kurunegala district. Assessment of the present status of aspects such as drinking water, wastewater, noise, dust, solid waste etc., was carried out in several industries within the estate. Management of the site and other infrastructure facilities, types of factories and their functions were studied with officials of the Industrial Services Bureau (lSB). Relevant legislation and other requirements concerning environment were obtained from the Provincial Environment Authority, North Western Province, at Kurunegala. A survey was carried out in selected factories after the detailed, study of the industries at the Industrial Park. Collection of test samples of water, wastewater, dust samples and measurement of noise, heat stress, oxygen level, ammonia concentration were done at the site. Some parameters of water & wastewater were tested at the site using direct reading type instrument and for other parameters samples were tested at the National Building Research Organization (NBRO). Weighing of dust samples and necessary calculations were done at the Occupational Hygiene Division of the Department of Labour. The test results and observations were compared with International and Local Standards such as WHO guideline values, standards of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) , Regulations of the Central Environment Authority (CEA) etc., in order to assess the environment within the estate. Social studies were limited to traveling and residential facilities of employees. During the survey, discussions were done with the management as well as employees and relevant information was collected. Drinking water supply and the maintenance of the distribution system, wastewater collection and other maintenance work, water quality in the canal at the boundary of the site into which the factory effluents are discharged were discussed and recommendations were given separately under the Management Plan. Further, remedial measures for control of Noise, Heat, Dust, Ammonia concentration etc., were also proposed under the Management Plan. Solid waste management is one of the issues identified, where waste tyre particles, polythene , garbage collection and disposal, waste burning are the problems encountered. Proposals were also made regarding hygienic matters such as protection of workers against dust, noise and ammonia gas. Personal protective equipment (ppe) were also illustrated. With respect to social aspects, it was found essential to improve the public transport system to the site for the benefit of the employees. Residential facilities should be provided to the employees who are living at a distance of 30 km . .It is very essential to monitor work which are recommended to. Control all the unsatisfactory conditions, by respective authorities.