Lucia’s day begins like any other in Vavuniya – by making the long walk to a shop where she buys drinking water. As an activist dedicated to improving the lives of women in the district, she is acutely aware of the irony: Vavuniya is a region known for its agricultural output, yet its people struggle daily to access clean water.

“For Rs. 3 per litre, we have no choice but to buy drinking water,” Lucia explained. “It’s not just an inconvenience – it’s becoming impossible for families to afford. In a month, a family can easily spend thousands of rupees just on clean water. It’s hard to believe this is how we’re living in 2024.”

Vavuniya, a district in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, thrives agriculturally. Paddy fields stretch across the landscape, watered by systems designed to sustain one of the region’s primary economic drivers. The district’s economy depends on this, contributing over 85% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 

Yet, despite the abundant water flowing to feed crops, the people who grow them are forced to spend large portions of their incomes on something as basic as drinking water.

Lucia, along with many other residents, has been living with this contradiction for years. “We grow food for the nation, but we can’t even get clean water to drink. The water that comes for irrigation is untreated and not safe for human consumption,” she said.

Anton Lal Susai, a long-time farmer in Vavuniya, shares Lucia’s frustration. “We have water for our crops – paddy fields – but none for us. We have to buy it, or rely on trucked-in water, which is unreliable and expensive. It’s hard to believe that the authorities don’t see how serious this is.”

A costly burden

In Vavuniya, clean drinking water has become a commodity. Shops and vendors sell it at Rs. 3 per litre, and for large families, the cost quickly adds up. 

What’s more, the water sold in shops is often transported from other parts of the country, making it subject to fluctuating availability and prices. As inflation rises and costs continue to mount, families in the district are spending more than ever on a necessity that should be easily accessible.

Lucia outlined the harsh realities of this system. “In a month, some families spend Rs. 4,000-6,000 just to drink clean water. That’s nearly a quarter of the income for many households. If they don’t buy bottled water, they have to risk drinking water that’s contaminated, which has been causing health problems.”

Cases of dehydration and waterborne diseases have increased in recent years, especially among children and the elderly. Yet the lack of a permanent solution from the Government or the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) means that people are left with no choice but to buy their water or go without.

A crisis ignored for too long

The water crisis in Vavuniya is not a new issue, and it’s not the result of a sudden drought or natural disaster. It’s a chronic, decades-long problem that has been met with neglect. The NWSDB has made promises and initiated projects, but no lasting solution has materialised.

Priyantha Gunasiri, a paddy farmer, voiced the frustration shared by many. “We’ve been hearing about solutions for as long as I can remember. Politicians come and talk about water pipelines, but nothing changes. In the meantime, we’re paying more and more for water every year. It feels like we’ve been abandoned.”

Groundwater is available in some parts of the district, but much of it is either too saline or contaminated with chemicals, making it unsafe for drinking. Residents have repeatedly called for proper filtration systems and infrastructure, but progress has been slow. Proposed projects, such as new water treatment plants, remain in the planning stages, with no clear timeline for completion.

The situation in Vavuniya has reached a breaking point and local officials are starting to recognise the urgency. Deepthi Dissanayake, a Government official, acknowledged the severity of the issue. 

“The NWSDB has been working on projects, but Vavuniya has been overlooked for far too long. It’s time we prioritised drinking water for the people. Water is not a luxury – it’s a necessity, and we’re failing to provide it.”

The crisis is aggravated by the fact that neighbouring districts have access to better water resources, yet the people of Vavuniya remain without a reliable supply. “We see water-rich areas just a short drive from here, but we’re stuck buying bottles or waiting for trucks,” Lucia said. “It’s unjust.”

Residents like Priyantha are tired of hearing about plans that never materialise. “We don’t need more promises. We need clean water. We’ve been patient for years, but how much longer can we wait? The price of water keeps going up and we’re running out of ways to cope.”

A struggle for survival

For many in Vavuniya, the water crisis is more than just a matter of access – it’s a struggle to survive. In a district where nearly half the population lives on subsistence farming or low-wage labour, the rising cost of water has pushed many to the brink of poverty.

Lucia explained the broader impact of the water shortage. “It’s not just about drinking water. People can’t afford water for cooking, for cleaning, or for basic hygiene. Women and children are the most affected. How are we supposed to build a better life if we can’t even have clean water in our homes?”

Her Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has been working tirelessly to raise awareness about the issue, but resources are limited. “We’re doing what we can, but this is a national issue. We need support from the Government, from the NWSDB, and from anyone who can help.”

As the crisis drags on, residents of Vavuniya are left wondering how much longer they will have to endure the hardships caused by the lack of clean water. For Lucia and many others, the fight for water has become a fight for dignity.

“We deserve to live with dignity,” Lucia said. “We’re not asking for luxury – we’re asking for something that every person should have. Water is a right and it’s time that the Government stops treating it like a privilege.”

As the dry season looms ahead, the people of Vavuniya remain hopeful that their voices will finally be heard. But for now, the struggle continues – each day marked by the same search for the most essential element of life: water.

Vavuniya’s water crisis at a glance

• Population: Over 171,000 (2012)
• Cost of drinking water: Rs. 3 per litre
• Agricultural GDP contribution: 85%
• Rainfall: 1.7 mm in dry months; 264 mm during wet season