Water Engineering

Large scale industries emit effluent water polluted with a multitude of physical, chemical and biological contaminants. Our research covers characterization of such wastewater and implementation and optimization of effluent water treatment plants collaborating with Sri Lankan industries. The work carried out spans from laboratory scale to in‐situ applications to meet industrial requirements.

Waste water released from the textile industry contains primarily textile dyes and heavy metals. Our department carries out specialized research covering biological water treatment techniques, oxidation and adsorption in textile wastewater treatment. These research projects are collaborated with some of the established textile exporters in Sri Lanka.

• Removal of heavy metal from wastewater using algae
• Industrial wastewater treatment using photo‐oxidation method
• Removal of some basic dyes from artificial textile wastewater by adsorption on paddy husk charcoal

A large and growing number of Sri Lankans suffer from CKDu; specially in areas where agriculture is prominent. Researches have shown a strong correlation between the affected areas and factors such as the use of chemical fertilizers and hardness in potable water. In our department we look at methods of removing excessive fertilizers mixed with water and water hardness using commonly available minerals and waste materials in Sri Lanka.

• Feasibility study of fluoride adsorption onto apatite powder/clay filter
• Study of Adsorption and desorption of prosperous on biochar

Land filling is the most common form of waste disposal in Sri Lanka which eventually results in the formation of leachate that mixes with groundwater and surface water. Utilizing techniques such as spectroscopy and chromatography, we analyze the pollutant compositions in landfill leachate and its variation with factors such as climate and geographical location of surface water resources. We also carry out collaborative research with international research institutes on leachate and polluted ground/surface water treatment techniques such as permeable reactive barrier technology, denitrification, adsorption and algae farming.