- Water supply to Colombo and Gampaha temporarily suspended
- Pvt factory non-toxic chemical release blamed
- DMC and Tri-Forces probe, NWSDB complains to Police
The risk to the water quality in the Kelani River around the right bank and the Ambatale intakes of the water treatment plants has been resolved with the assistance of the Tri-Forces, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.
Accordingly, laboratory tests were conducted to assess the water quality required for the resumption of the water supply, in line with recommendations issued by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). The NWSDB said that the tests confirmed that the water meets the required quality standards, allowing steps to be taken to resume water distribution. The Board expected the water supply in areas surrounding the affected water treatment plants to return to normal within a few hours. However, delays may occur in the full restoration of the water supply to areas including Battaramulla, Kotte, Pamankada and Nugegoda.
The NWSDB has requested the public’s cooperation with the measures being taken to safeguard consumers’ health and safety.
The water supply to several areas in the Colombo and Gampaha Districts had been temporarily suspended due to the risk of the quality of water in the Kelani Ganga around the right bank and the Ambatale intakes of the purification plants being compromised. The NWSDB said that the supply from the Ambatale purification plant and the Kelani River around the right bank water purifiers was temporarily suspended following a notification from the DMC.
The NWSDB has stated that the water supply to several areas in the Colombo and Gampaha Districts was temporarily suspended following the release of a chemical into the environment by a private factory. NWSDB Chairperson Chandana Bandara stated that the water supply was suspended as a precautionary measure until it could be confirmed whether any pollutants had entered the water supply. He further stated that a comprehensive investigation into the incident is being jointly conducted by the DMC and the Security Forces. He further stated that the NWSDB has lodged a complaint with the Police regarding the incident and that the relevant authorities have been informed to take appropriate legal action.
The DMC has stated that necessary measures have been taken to prevent chemicals released into the environment by a private institution from contaminating the drinking water supply. Commenting on the incident, DMC Director Pradeep Kodippili stated that the Centre was informed of the situation on Monday evening (24) and immediately took the necessary measures. He added that testing is still ongoing, although preliminary findings have indicated that the chemicals concerned are non-toxic. Due to the emergency situation affecting the water quality near the intake point of the Kelani River, the NWSDB temporarily suspended the water supply to several areas in the Colombo and Gampaha Districts. However, the NWSDB later stated that the situation had been brought under control with the assistance of the Tri-Forces. Accordingly, on the recommendation of the DMC, laboratory tests were conducted to confirm that the water met the required quality standards before the water supply was restored.