The Western Province faces a critical water supply crisis, with the Labugama and Kalatuwawa reservoirs holding only enough water for approximately 20 days, forcing the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) to impose rotational cuts across parts of greater Colombo.
Around 150,000 consumers are affected by the shortfall. The NWSDB has implemented systematic rationing along the High-Level Road corridor, with Padukka’s 18,000 connections experiencing 24-hour cuts followed by four days of continuous supply. Hanwella, Maharagama, and Pannipitiya are also under water-cut schedules, with consumers receiving SMS notifications.
Saltwater Intrusion Compounds Crisis
Declining river flows have caused saltwater intrusion in the Kalu and Kelani rivers, complicating water treatment operations and further straining supply capacity.
Major Mahaweli reservoirs across the country are at 55 to 60 percent capacity following December-January rains, but the Western Province’s local supply systems remain critically depleted.
Tariffs Frozen, Infrastructure Years Away
Despite the supply crisis, NWSDB Chairman Chandana Bandara confirmed that water tariffs will remain unchanged through June 30, 2026. “There have been no plans to increase water bills yet,” he said.
Long-term relief depends on infrastructure projects still years from completion. The Ambathale treatment plant expansion will add 50,000 cubic meters of capacity, while a new 180,000 cubic meter facility at Welivita and additional reservoirs in Paliyaru, Mannar, and Vavuniya are planned. However, Chairman Bandara noted that successive economic shocks since 2019 — the Easter attacks, COVID-19, and the 2022 economic collapse — have delayed these projects by two to three years.