SL gets US $ 128mn ADB funds for safe water in Colombo and suburbs

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is giving Sri Lanka another loan of US $128 million to fund safe water and wastewater management in Colombo and suburbs.

The ADB loan agreement with the government of Sri Lanka signed on yesterday is the third tranche loan for phase three of the Greater Colombo Water and Wastewater Management Improvement Investment Program.

It aims to “assist the government to achieve its goal of providing safe water and full sanitation coverage for Greater Colombo under its Development Policy Framework,” an ADB statement said.
“The investment program will improve Colombo city dwellers’ quality of life and will cater to the increasing demand in the city for improved water and wastewater services,” said Sri Widowati, Country Director, Sri Lanka Resident 
Mission, ADB.

Colombo’s piped water supply system and piped sewerage system was built more than 100 years ago and no longer fully meets today’s needs. 
The water system upgrade is expected to bring 24/7 water supply to Colombo city by reducing non- revenue water to less than 20 percent, the ADB said. 

The project will also improve the sewer system in Colombo city and will support the government to construct a wastewater treatment plant for the Colombo city southern catchment.

ADB’s Multitranche Financing Facility (MFF) – totaling US$ 300 million - will fund 20 percent of the US$1.5 billion investment plan for water and sanitation in Greater Colombo. 

The first loan of US$84 million was made in 2012 and the second loan of US$ 88 million in 2013 . This is the third and last phase of the MFF, the ADB said.

This third phase will construct a new sewer system in un-served areas of Kirillopone.
The proposed wastewater treatment plant will improve effluent water quality of the Wellawatta sea outfall. 
These works will be undertaken by the Colombo Municipal Council. The third phase will also support the National Water Supply and Drainage Board to complete nonrevenue water reduction program commenced under the previous phases.