Jaffna's water woes to end

ADB assists with Rs 9,810 m:

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide financial assistance of approximately Rs 10 billion (US $ 90 million) for the implementation of the Jaffna and Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation project in line with the Government's target of providing safe drinking water for all citizens.

The main objectives of the project are to improve water supply services in Jaffna and Kilinochchi Districts, provide sanitation infrastructure for residents living in the Jaffna Municipal Council area and strengthen water resources management program in Jaffna Peninsula. It is expected to supply 60,000 (300,000 persons) new water connections in Jaffna and Kilinochchi Districts and connect 20,000 households (80,000 persons) in Jaffna Municipal Council area to the sewer network. The project is scheduled to be completed by February 14, 2017.

The total investment cost of the project is Rs 17,880 m (US$ 164.4 million) of which the contribution of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) includes a loan of Rs 7,630 m (SDR; Special Drawing Rights 44,286,000 approximately US$ 70 million) from the Asian Development Fund (ADF) and a loan of Rs 2,180 million (US$ 20 million) from Ordinary Capital Resources (OCR). The Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) of France has agreed to provide a loan of Rs 5,232 million (Euro 35 million or US$ 48 million) to part finance the water supply sub-component of the project and associated consulting services for design and supervision.

In addition, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has agreed to provide a loan of Rs 2,180 million (US$ 20 million) for the downstream development of the Iranamadu Tank from which water is drawn for the water supply scheme in order to ensure that adequate quantity of water is provided to the farmers in the downstream for irrigation.

Two separate financing agreements will be signed with the AFD and IFAD for this purpose. The Government contribution to the project will be Rs 2,838 million (US $ 26.4 million).

[ADB proceeds, AFD loans will be used for]

1. Rehabilitation and improvement of headworks at the Iranamadu Tank, construction of a new water intake, water treatment plant and laying the water transmission mains in order to provide new distribution systems for Jaffna Municipality, Chavakachcheri Urban Council and selected Pradeshiya Sabhas of Jaffna and Kilinochchi and also providing water connections to households in poor areas.

2. Provision of a Sewerage collection system and equipment for Jaffna Municipal Council area including a Sewerage treatment plant and treated effluent outfall by aiming to introduce low cost sanitation programs for selected communities.

3. Developing groundwater monitoring system in the project area while providing Support to municipalities, Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas in the preparation of their by-laws. It is also expected to construct a new regional office of NWSDB in Jaffna.