Sri Lanka : Greater Colombo Wastewater Management Project

Project Name

Greater Colombo Wastewater Management Project

Project Number

36173-013

Country / Economy

• Sri Lanka

Project Status

Closed

Project Type / Modality of Assistance

• Loan

Source of Funding / Amount

Loan 2557-SRI: Greater Colombo Wastewater Management Project

Source	Amount
Ordinary capital resources	US$ 80.00 million

Loan 2558-SRI: Greater Colombo Wastewater Management Project

Source	Amount
Asian Development Fund	US$ 20.00 million

Strategic Agendas

• Environmentally sustainable growth
• Inclusive economic growth

Drivers of Change

• Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
• Governance and capacity development

Sector / Subsector

• Water and other urban infrastructure and services / Urban policy, institutional and capacity development - Urban sewerage

Gender

Some gender elements

Description

The Project is designed to improve the urban environment and public health for the urban and suburban residents in Colombo through improvements to wastewater management services. The Project will support (i) upgrading the sewerage infrastructure, including pumping stations, sewer pipes, and discharge outfalls; (ii) strengthening institutional and operational capacity in asset management, financial management, operational performance monitoring, environmental regulatory compliance, customer services, and pro-poor sanitation services; and (iii) project management and implementation.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

Colombo is Sri Lanka's economic and administrative center. The Government, in its Ten-Year Development Framework, 20062016, targets high and steady economic growth and modernization of the capital region as the national growth engine. The Western Region Structure Plan, adopted by the Government as the development plan for the country's capital region, emphasizes the critical role of basic infrastructure and services, including wastewater management, in sustaining the national economy and improving the quality of life in the Greater Colombo area.

While the Colombo urban area is rapidly expanding, the coverage of the existing public sewerage infrastructure is limited. Most of the system has been run exceeding its technical life and is therefore inefficient and unreliable. Emergency repairs rather than planned maintenance are normal practices. Assets are not inventoried and there is no accurate database on the condition of assets. The customer database is inaccurate and is not regularly updated. Frequent blockages in the system cause flooding in lowlying areas and the uncontrolled overflow has serious environment and public health implications. There is no institutionalized mechanism to monitor operational performance or environmental compliance.

Impact

Urban environment and public health are improved for urban residents in Greater Colombo.

Accordingly, by 2023:

(i). Inland and marine water quality within Colombo complies with CEA quality standards.

(ii). Incidence of the water borne diseases is reduced by 20% from 2009 figures.

(iii). Number of underserved low-income settlements reduced by 30% from 1,640 in 2009.

Project Outcome

Description of Outcome

Urban population in Greater Colombo enjoys better wastewater Management services.

Progress Toward Outcome

All planned contracts for works, equipment supply, and consultancy were awarded. The NWSDB component was physically completed and taken over. The CMC component works are in progress. Out of the total 6 works/supply contract, two were completed, one was physically completed, one was terminated, and the balance two are in progress. As of 30 November 2022, around 93% of the ADB financing was disbursed.

Due to the Covid-19 lockdown from March-2020, field works were significantly slowed down. Works recommenced during Q3-2020 but delays continued with sporadic pandemic lockdowns. As per Borrower's request the project financing dead line was extended till 31 December 2022.

Implementation Progress

Description of Project Outputs

Sewerage infrastructure is upgraded

Institutional and operational capacity of CMC is strengthened

Project management and implementation capacity of CMC is improved

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

1. Sewerage infrastructure:

+CMC Component - Contract for the rehabilitation of the two sea outfalls are completed and the outfalls are functional. An essential mobile plant for CMC has been procured. Out of the 11 planned pumping stations for rehabilitation, one was completed and taken over, 3 are about to be taken over, works on 4 are ongoing, and 3 were taken out of the scope of works. Around 8 km of major new sewer lines were finalized for construction and works completed. Additional works are ongoing. CCTV conditional assessment of the targeted 125 km sewers is completed. Cleaning of 15km of sewers and reduced blockages cancelled and this was combined with the sewer rehabilitation contract for cleaning and CCTV survey of 125km length of sewers. Additional works, which are required by the CMC, are included under contract variations. Interconnections identified were given to CMC for disconnection by improving storm water facilities. Through CCTV survey further interconnections are identified for CMC to find solutions. The respective loan was extended till 31 December 2022 for the balance works to be completed.

+NWSDB Component - All 6 pumping stations were rehabilitated and taken over by NWSDB and are now operational.

2. Institutional and operational capacity of CMC:

The other consultancy contract for Institutional Development of the CMC's Drainage Dept. was completed. accordingly, an asset management system was developed. Pilot database of pumping stations that were not under rehabilitation contract, developed. CCTV data is being linked to the sewer network asset database. FMAS system installed and the system is running. Network installation completed. Works under project scope completed. Additional activities associated with this output (mainly training and workshops) identified under ADB financed MFF-T3 project, is continued to be financed under this loan. More than 750 person-days of training were provided on various subjects. Mapping completed and modelling partially completed to fit the requirement. Environmental monitoring mechanism- completed. Customer charter was discontinued as agreed with the Review Mission held from 21 - 27 May 2013 (Aide Memoire). Community Participation, Public Education program and School education program all completed.

3. Project management and implementation capacity:

CMC-PMU is operational and the NWSDB-PIU has been closed out. CMC-PMU continue to face limitations in filling its staff cadre. All planned major contracts awarded. Works Ongoing. An original Consultancy contract for Design and Supervision came to completion and the balance works are continued with a team of individual consultants.

Geographical Location

Colombo

Safeguard Categories

Environment

B

Involuntary Resettlement

B

Indigenous Peoples

C

Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects

Environmental Aspects

No significant issues reported other than initially planned activities.

Involuntary Resettlement

Few minor modifications on permanent and temporary resettlement were accommodated through ADB approved Supplementary Resettlement Plans (SRPs).

Indigenous Peoples

N/A

Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation

During Project Design

A diversity analysis has been undertaken before the stakeholder analysis covering physical, socioeconomic, and usage diversity. Stakeholder mapping identified direct and indirect beneficiaries, pressure groups, and other interest groups at the national, divisional, project, and community levels. The stakeholders were grouped into seven categories comprising: (i) users of the main sewerage system, (ii) users of septic tanks in areas not served by the sewerage system, (iii) managers of sewerage systems, (iv) other service providers, (v) regulators and administrators, (vi) policy makers, and (vii) other interest groups. The expectations and likely benefits, and issues and concerns, of these stakeholders were analyzed in the stakeholder analysis and considered in the project design, particularly in developing participation strategies. Information dissemination and consultations have been undertaken to ensure stakeholder participation in project design.

During Project Implementation

Information dissemination and consultation will continue throughout project implementation through public awareness programs and national steering committee meetings.

Business Opportunities

Consulting Services

Two consulting firms recruited for (i) design, supervision, and project management support to PMU and PIU; and (ii) institutional development, financial and operational improvement support to the PMU and CMC. The consulting firms were recruited using the quality- and cost-based selection (QCBS) method in accordance with ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants 2010, as amended from time to time.

Procurement

Procurements to be financed by the Project will be carried out in accordance with ADB's Procurement Guidelines 2010, as amended from time to time.

Contact

Responsible ADB Officer

Dahanayake, Kamal P.S.

Responsible ADB Department

Sectors Group

Responsible ADB Division

Water and Urban Development Sector Office (SG-WUD)

Executing Agencies

Colombo Municipal Council

The Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils & Local Government

Timetable

Concept Clearance

08 Aug 2005

Fact Finding

29 Apr 2009 to 14 May 2009

MRM

01 Jul 2009

Approval

28 Sep 2009

Last Review Mission

-

PDS Creation Date

16 Mar 2006

Last PDS Update

12 Dec 2022

Funding

Loan 2557-SRI

Loan 2558-SRI