Water insecurity persists for Colombo's low-income residents despite infrastructure gains

Sri Lanka's urban water access improvements have not resolved long-standing contamination risks for low-income communities in Colombo.

Colombo's low-income urban residents rely on pipe-borne water from the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), yet water contamination in their settlements has occurred over a 20-25 year period due to development activities, agricultural expansion, livestock farming, and environmental factors. While access to NWSDB water in Sri Lanka's Western province increased from 43.1% of households in 2012 to 58.7% by 2024, water cuts and maintenance work continue to disrupt supply in low-income areas. Households without water storage facilities face muddy water after cuts, requiring filtration for safe consumption. Major reservoirs reached 55% of total capacity as of August 25, 2026, but extreme weather events threaten water quality through sewage contamination, animal waste, and reduced availability. The 170 completed community water supply schemes (out of 367 established 2019-2021) remain a partial solution as the remaining schemes are scheduled for completion by 2027.

This friction persists because low-income communities lack infrastructure to handle water disruptions. Water quality standards follow Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) requirements, but household water treatment and safe storage (HWTS) is recommended for non-NWSDB sources. The system's vulnerability to extreme weather and aging infrastructure means water insecurity remains a barrier to basic needs for over 1 million daily water users in Colombo.

Water insecurity directly impacts health and sustenance access for low-income residents. When water cuts occur without storage, households face unsafe drinking water, increasing disease risk and reducing time for productive activities. The next critical phase involves scaling HWTS implementation and ensuring reservoir capacity remains stable during extreme weather to prevent contamination cascades. Current data shows contamination risks are entrenched but improving access rates suggest potential for future resilience if these friction points are addressed.

Source: Mongabay