Minister warns of water shortage if wastage continues

Mohammed Nallir

The future generation will have to face a water shortage if wasting of water continues, Water Supply and Drainage Minister A.L.M. Athaullah said.

“Keeping this in mind, Sri Lankans must protect water without wasting it,” the Minister said speaking at the World Water Day ceremony organised by the Water Supply and Drainage Ministry together with the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS&DB) on the theme ‘Sanitation contributes to dignity’.

The Minister said the Government was spending a large sum for the development of the country while spending billions to eradicate terrorism.

Athaullah said a drop of water was also useful and should not be wasted.

The public must be made aware of the need to protect water, he said.

Athaullah said the Government spends Rs. 20 to purify a unit of water but distributes water only for Rs. 14 a unit.

The Minister said the public should be urged to use water provided by the NWS & DB in place of mineral water.

The Government spends Rs. 80 billion for the development of the water supply sector, he said. Water Supply Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said even though the Earth is surrounded by two third of water only 0.001 per cent was consumable.

The wasting of water in Colombo district is 39.1 per cent, he said. He stressed the need to implement a productive water management system in the Colombo district.

If a water management drive was implemented in the Colombo district, there will be no need for new water supply projects, Amaraweera said. The Minister urged the urban community to use rain water. In rural areas the public use rain water in place of well water, he said.

The public can provide information on corruption and water wastage on 1939 to the Board.