Measures to address water supply issue in Jaffna peninsula

Access to safe drinking water has been a major issue in the recent past in the Northern Province and in particular in Jaffna District. The flat nature of the terrain of Jaffna District has been the reason for no reservoirs in the peninsula and as such the peninsula depends on ground water for all its water requirements. The potable water for over 600,000 population is depended on ground water as the only source. 

The studies of Provincial Irrigation Department, Northern Province and Regional National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) have revealed that the excessive application of inorganic agro-chemicals, sea water intrusion due to excessive pumping, lack of sewerage system, non-rehabilitation of salt water extrusion schemes, unregulated tube well extraction, lack of attention to recharge abandoned ponds have affected the availability of water quality and quantity. 

Further, the study revealed that the revival of ground water will take 10-20 years and as an immediate solution, Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant is being implemented with Asian Development Bank (ADB) support, said Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development, Vocational Training and Skills Development and Youth Affairs Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy.

The relevant specialist agencies have proposed the construction of Lower Paali Aaru Reservoir to be located in the downstream of Vavunikulam, Kollavilankulam, Kalvilankulam, Mallavitank and in the upstream of the Adampankulam. From the preliminary studies it is noted that currently there is ample of water flowing to the sea without being utilised and this could be stored in the proposed lower Paali Aaru Reservoir. 

The estimated annual water demand of 22 Million Cubic Meters (MCM) for Jaffna peninsula could be easily met from the proposed Lower Paali Aaru Reservoir. The proposed location for the reservoir is Perumparappukulam in Mannar District which is an abandoned minor irrigation tank. The capacity of the proposed reservoir is to be 37 MCM. 

The Total Estimate Cost (TEC) of this project is Rs. 3,500 m and the cost of the full feasibility study will be Rs. 40 m. The Provincial Irrigation Department, Northern Province and the Regional NWSDB have proposed to undertake the feasibility of the study on an immediate basis for the Lower Paali Aaru water supply thereafter to implement the project through appropriate source of funding.