Sri Lanka: Jaffna and Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation Project

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

Jaffna, the northern most part of the island, is a peninsula which significantly differs from the rest of the country in relation to geographic, demographic, economic, and administrative characteristics. Jaffna suffers from both income and non-income poverty. The resulting poverty headcount in 2005 was 43.4% in Jaffna District and 64% in Northern Kilinochchi. Years of civil war and, to a lesse extent, recent natural calamity, have resulted in continued depravation and increasing human poverty.

Groundwater resources in Jaffna peninsula are limited. Acute water scarcity problems are coupled with the deterioration of water quality. The aquifer, the main source of water, is fragile and at risk, exposed to contamination from sewerage and leachate seepage, and overextraction resulting from uncontrolled and unregulated water extraction for mutiple uses. Overall, less than 15% of the peninsula's inhabitants receive supply from any providers and onsite sanitation facilities are poorly maintained.

As of 30 June 2021; (a) cumulative contract awards and disbursement for L2710 are $8.57 million (43%) and $6.29 million (31%) respectively, (b) cumulative contract awards and disbursement for L2711 are $59.63 million (96%) and $58.88 million (94%) respectively, (c) cumulative contract awards and disbursement for L3603 are $63.57 million (67%) and $4.49 million (5%) respectively, and (d) cumulative contract awards and disbursement for L3604 are $19.87 million (80%) and $5.63 million (23%) respectively. Overall Physical progress of the project is 52%.

Slow overall implementation progress is due to initial delays in recruitment of consultants and due to water sharing issues with the originally identified water source. The project also faced significant cost overruns (more than 200%) and therefore, a phased approach for the project was proposed by ADB. Accordingly, the sewerage component was dropped. From a rapid-feasibility study, desalination of sea water has been identified as an alternate water source for the project. The project's restructuring proposal with desalination of sea water as an alternate water source together with additional financing loans were approved by the cabinet of ministers in June 2015. ADB approved additional financing and the additional financing loans (L3603/L3604) were signed on 15 December 2017. Procurement under the additional financing is ongoing. The Design, Build and Operate Sea Water Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant (SWRO-DBO) and Supply and Laying Water Distribution Network (SLWDN) contracts were awarded in January 2021. The project management and supervision consultant , Environmental Monitoring Consultant (EMC) contracts are expected to be awarded by Q3 2021.

Water supply infrastructure and service in the Jaffna Peninsula improved

Water resource management systems and capacity strengthened

Headworks at Iranadu Tank Improved

Not yet due.

Not yet due.

Due to change in water source, the planned water treatment plant (WTP) plant was replaced with a 24 MLD capacity Sea Water Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant (SWRO DP), Design, Build and Operate (DBO) contract. ADB issued no objection to TEC's revised FBER on 10 February, 2020 however due to the prevailing lockdown caused by COVID-19 pandemic the cabinet approval and award of SWRO were delayed. DBO contract was signed in Q1 2021.

The Supply and Laying Water Distribution Network (SLWDN) contract was also signed in Q1 2021. The project management and supervision consultant (PMSC) and Environmental Monitoring Consultant (EMC) contracts are both expected to be awarded by Q3 2021.

346 km of distribution pipes and 185 km of transmission mains pipes were installed.

Tank completed and store the water up to 36 feet during the last rainy season.

In progress. So far, 97 awareness programs completed with 66% of women participation. (Total Participants - 2,035; Male - 755 and Female - 1,280. Prepared the plan to implement the balance programs with the recruitment of public awareness and communication expert. This was delay and postponed due to the prevailing situation of Covid 19.

WRMC established under chairmanship of GA, Jaffna with relevant stakeholders in 2011 and Technical Committee formed in 2013 and TOR has been prepared. Request letter sent to GA, Jaffna to reactivate the WRMC to plan and actions.

Well mapping for monitoring the ground water in Jaffna Peninsula is processed by NWSDB (Regional Manager Office - Jaffna). So far, 13,000 well are completed and balance dropped due to funding issue.

Not yet due.

Not yet due.

7.5 km. road rehabilitation works are completed.

Not yet due.

Not yet due.