ADB to provide $300m loan for water and wastewater systems in Sri Lanka

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will be extending loans worth $300m to improve, upgrade, construct, and manage water and wastewater systems in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

ADB’s loans will support the Sri Lankan government’s $400m initiative to improve water and sanitation services in the capital city.

The first tranche of $84m of the $300m will be used mainly to reduce water loss in Colombo and to prevent non-revenue generating water consumption.

It is believed that water loss is costing Colombo about $13m a year.

ADB South Asia Department of Urban Development specialist Mingyuan Fan said the financial aid will help the country improve its water and sanitation systems, and provide better quality, cost-effective and sustainable services.

"Parts of Colombo’s water supply distribution network are over 100 years old and some areas only get water for less than half the day, while the sewer network suffers from frequent collapses and blockages," Fan added.

The loans will be used to repair and replace old and worn out transmission and distribution water pipelines and pumps, to install new water meters, implement network mapping and leakage controls.

ADB loan will also be utilised to build two new wastewater treatment plants, fund new sewer connections, and further strengthen the management and operations of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board and Colombo Municipal Council.

The government of Sri Lanka under its investment programme is planning to provide water 24 hours a day across Colombo and especially to the underserved areas. It is also targeting to cut down the non-profitable water losses from about 50% in 2012 to around 20% by 2020, and provide 100% sewer network coverage by 2020.

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Image: The ADB approved loan will be used by the Sri Lankan government to repair pipes and prevent water loss. Photo: FASTILY