By Sanjiv Malalasekera, Joint Managing Director of Arinma Holdings
Arinma Holdings (Pvt) Ltd. collaborated with Royal Eijkelkamp on a milestone project in Sri Lanka, focused on the establishment of a Groundwater Monitoring Network. The objective of this project was to protect and safeguard Sri Lanka’s groundwater table, which is an essential and increasingly over-utilised natural resource. The country’s growing population and economic development has resulted in heightened demand for groundwater, making it crucial to assess and monitor its availability and quality for sustainable development.
During our collaboration with Royal Eijkelkamp, we had the opportunity to utilise and experience a variety of their products and services. Our engagement primarily involved the transfer of technology to Sri Lanka, as the country lacked the necessary technical infrastructure for groundwater monitoring. Recognising the significance of employing advanced technology for this task, we identified Royal Eijkelkamp as a provider of cutting-edge solutions in this field. They offer an extensive range of groundwater monitoring tools, including both singleparameter and multi-parameter devices.
Additionally, they provide specialised drilling machines tailored for specific geographic terrains.
Total: 190 well locations
In terms of data collection and management, Royal Eijkelkamp offers a diverse selection of dataloggers designed for groundwater monitoring. These dataloggers are capable of measuring various parameters, including water level, temperature, and conductivity. Furthermore, the company provides data management software that facilitates the collection, storage, and analysis of data obtained from groundwater monitoring systems.
The technological resources provided by Royal Eijkelkamp played a vital role in our project’s successful implementation and completion. Their advanced tools and software significantly contributed to the overall effectiveness and efficiency of our work
Overall, the combination of Royal Eijkelkamp’s professionalism, expertise, and customercentric approach has been a standout feature of our working experience with them
The pilot project, officially named “Establishment of Groundwater Monitoring Network - Pilot Project,” initially focused on the Malwathu Oya, Maduru Oya, and Kumbukkan Oya River Basins in Sri Lanka. Originally planned for a duration of 36 months, the project encountered unexpected challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating two extensions totaling an additional 21 months. Geographically, the project scope was also expanded to include the Jaffna Peninsula and Puttalam Madurankuliya area.
The project operated under the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources, presently known as the Ministry of Irrigation, with the aim of implementing a sophisticated groundwater monitoring system. This system would enhance the capabilities of the State Water Resources Board, enabling them to optimise their expertise and technical
capacities in conducting various monitoring activities.
On the successful completion of the project, a total of 190 groundwater monitoring points including 20 rain gauge stations were established across five different regions in Sri Lanka. Data collected from these monitoring points is displayed on a web portal and analysed at the data centre of the Water Resources Board. This information aids in making well-informed decisions to effectively manage the groundwater resource.
Sri Lanka encompasses a wide range of groundwater users, including domestic, commercial, agricultural, and industrial sectors, each facing unique challenges related to diminishing resources and potential contamination. However, prior to this project, a comprehensive assessment of the groundwater resources under these external stresses had not been systematically conducted. Without a well-informed understanding of the situation, the future utilisation of these resources would have been severely compromised.
Groundwater serves as the sole source of water supply in certain regions of Sri Lanka, such as the Jaffna Peninsula, Kalpitiya, Puttalam, Mannar, and Vavuniya Districts. In other parts of the country, groundwater is utilised in conjunction with surface water sources. Hence, the availability and sustainability of groundwater resources play an integral role in the overall water requirements of the nation, contributing to both well-being and economic development of the country’s population.
One of the aspects that we highly appreciate about working with Royal Eijkelkamp is the exceptional level of professionalism demonstrated by their team. Their expertise in groundwater management and water technology is truly impressive. With a diverse range of specialised knowledge, they were able to address any unforeseen issues that arose during the project, providing effective solutions and valuable insights. Furthermore, the company’s customerfriendly culture and collaborative approach significantly enhanced our working relationship. The entire project team, particularly the project manager, displayed a remarkable ability to foster cooperation and teamwork. Their willingness to actively engage with us and understand our specific requirements ensured a smooth and productive collaboration.
We greatly value their commitment to delivering high-quality solutions and maintaining a collaborative partnership throughout our engagement.
