Amidst the ongoing drought conditions, the Victoria Reservoir is grappling with a substantial water loss, with an astounding three million litres of water evaporating daily, as revealed by Engineer-in-Charge Wasantha Ehelapitiya.
Ehelapitiya detailed that this vast quantity of water, amounting to five millimetres in depth across an expansive 11 square kilometre surface area, evaporates each day due to the prevailing arid climate.
The Engineer-in-Charge further illuminated the situation, explaining that typically, a portion of the water filling the Victoria Reservoir, equivalent to about two millimetres in depth, would evaporate daily. However, the current dry weather has exacerbated this process, causing the evaporation rate to more than double. Drawing attention to global solutions, he cited countries such as Germany, France, Korea, and China, which have successfully tackled water loss by deploying solar panels that float on water surfaces. These innovative installations not only curtail evaporation but also harness additional electricity.
Ehelapitiya also underscored the potential benefits of implementing a similar strategy in the Victoria Reservoir. By suspending solar panels above the water’s surface, a conducive environment could be fostered for aquatic life, providing a dual advantage of water conservation and enhanced ecosystem support.
