By Newswire Editorial
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $300 million in financing for two projects aimed at expanding and strengthening water supply and sanitation services across Sri Lanka.
According to the ADB, the financing includes $200 million under the Climate-Resilient Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Project, which will improve access to safe and reliable water supply services for more than 1.3 million people in the Western and Southern provinces.
The project will also improve sewerage and sanitation services for nearly 250,000 people in Jaffna in the Northern Province.
Under the initiative, new climate-resilient water treatment plants, transmission and distribution networks, and storage reservoirs will be constructed in Colombo and Lunugamwehera.
Wastewater treatment facilities, sewerage networks, and pumping stations will also be developed in Jaffna.
The project aims to reduce water losses, promote renewable energy use, strengthen the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), and encourage private sector participation in the water sector.
Meanwhile, the remaining $100 million has been approved for the second subprogram of the Water Supply and Sanitation Reform Program, which focuses on strengthening water sector governance, improving service delivery, and attracting private sector financing.
The programme will support reforms in water resources management, sanitation, climate resilience, water tariffs, and the financial sustainability of the NWSDB.
ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka Shannon Cowlin said access to safe, reliable, and sustainable water and sanitation services is essential for public health and economic growth.
She said the projects would support Sri Lanka’s efforts to strengthen water sector governance, improve service delivery, and enhance the resilience and financial sustainability of institutions.
The ADB said the combined investments and reforms are expected to deliver safer, more reliable, and climate-resilient water and sanitation services to communities across Sri Lanka. (Newswire)