The Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Sri Lankan government are jointly financing a US$ 164 million project to restore water supply and sanitation infrastructure to the conflict-affected Northern Province. The ADB has approved US$ 90 million in loans and technical assistance, AFD is expected to provide US$ 40 million and the Government of Sri Lanka will provide over US$ 34 million for the project.
The Jaffna and Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation Project aims to serve both current residents and returning internally displaced people in target areas of the Jaffna Peninsula.
After 30 years of civil conflict ended at the end of 2009, much of the key infrastructure was damaged or has deteriorated as a result of neglect. Adding to these problems are over extraction of groundwater, aquifer pollution and the absence of effective water resources management.
The project will rehabilitate and improve reservoir headworks, and construct a water treatment and distribution system serving the Jaffna and Kilinochchi Districts. The new water distribution system will provide access to household connections and metered community water facilities. On the sanitation side, funds will be used to build a sewage collection and treatment system for the Jaffna Municipality; and construct low-cost household and communal latrines in poor communities.
Support will be given to the Jaffna Water Resources Management Committee to carry out a study and to draw up a comprehensive, integrated water resources management plan. Assistance will also be given to other resource bodies and local authorities, to develop groundwater quality and quantity monitoring and management systems, and to conduct public conservation, environmental protection and hygiene awareness campaigns.
A technical assistance grant of $600,000 from ADB’s concessional Technical Assistance Special Fund will be used for a needs assessment and to establish training courses on service delivery for relevant agencies and local authorities. The Government of Sri Lanka will finance US$ 65,000 equivalent for a total cost of US$ 665,000.
The Ministry of Water Supply and Drainage and the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Council are the executing agencies for the project, which is due for completion by February 2017.
For more information read the Jaffna Water Supply and Waste Water Management II project information document
Source: ADB, 01 Dec 2010
