LK Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement Project

The development objectives of the Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement Project for Sri Lanka are to increase access to piped water services and improved sanitation in selected districts; and to strengthen the capacity of associated institutions. There are four components to the project, the first component being water supply and sanitation infrastructure. This component will finance infrastructure investments to support expansion of piped water services in urban, rural and estate areas in the above mentioned selected districts. Cost effective technical solutions will ensure that each unit of investment delivers the maximum service improvement. The second component is the institutional capacity strengthening. The project will support the detailed design and operationalization of the Department of National Community Water Supply, or DNCWS through the following activities. Institutional design and capacity strengthening of DNCWS by supporting: (a) preparation of a detailed design of the department including organizational structure, staff numbers and skill sets, job descriptions and so on; (b) offices and equipment needed to set up the department in each districts; and (c) training for staff of the department. This component will also support strengthening of other institutions required for the delivery of increased access to piped water services and improved sanitation in the selected districts. The third component is the sectoral technical assistance. The project will support technical assistance to improve sector capacity, including: preparation of a Comprehensive Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Program, in collaboration and consultation with the National Planning Department, to improve water supply and sanitation across the island. This will allow GoSL to strategically invest in the sector through a programmatic approach which can be financed by local or foreign funds. Finally, the fourth component is the project management support.