Over 260 water supply schemes will be launched islandwide next year to provide a better water supply service. This was disclosed at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Water Supply which met on Friday, November 27, chaired by Minister of Water Supply, Vasudeva Nanayakkara.
The Ministry of Water Supply plans to launch phase 1 next year and phase 2 in 2022.
Secretary to the Ministry of Water Supply, Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrema said that he hopes to increase water supply coverage in the country from 40 percent to 78 percent.
It will also increase the potable water production per day from 2.07 cubic metres to 4.47 cubic metres. The schemes are expected to be designed by engineers of the Water Board and carried out by local contractors using local funds.Minister Nanayakkara said that water supply alone is not his objective and that he aims to provide quality water to the people.
The Minister said that the Water Board and the Department of National Community Water Supply under his Ministry are working hard to implement this.State Minister of Rural and Divisional Drinking Water Supply Projects Development, Sanath Nishantha said that the role of his Ministry is to provide water to the people in areas which are not covered by the Water Supply Board’s supply system and in areas with potential through the community water supply projects.
The State Minister said that the number of connections supplying water to the whole country is around 700,000 through 4,500 community-based organisations registered with the Department of National Community Water Supply under the Ministry.