9 April 2025, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. UN-Habitat, with funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has established a gravity-fed water supply system in the Mariya village, located in the Agarapathana Pradeshiya Sabaha of Nuwara Eliya District. The improved water supply system, together with chlorination facilities, was officially handed over to the residents recently, marking a significant milestone in enhancing access to purified and safe drinking water.

“Earlier, we had no choice but to drink water without any filtration or chlorination, risking our health every day. Now, with this new system, we can simply turn on a tap at home and access safe, clean drinking water,” said Ms. S. Subramaniyam, a resident of Mariya village. This water supply facility is expected to serve nearly 540 individuals from 114 households. The Agarapathana Pradeshiya Sabha will be responsible for the maintenance of the system, ensuring both its day-to-day functioning and long-term sustainability.

The water supply system was established through UN-Habitat’s people-centric, participatory process of project implementation, under the KOICA-funded project “Strengthening Socioeconomic Resilience of Communities Affected by the COVID–19 Pandemic in Central and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka”. A local Community Based Organization (CBO) – Samudra Rural Development Society – was responsible for the construction of the water supply system with technical guidance by UN-Habitat’s technical team. The Agarapathana Pradeshiya Sabha and Office of the Assistant Commissioner of Local Government (ACLG) were closely involved in the planning and monitoring of the initiative.

The upgraded water supply system now provides pipe-borne water to the families in Mariya village. The system includes several key features: a reinforced cement concrete intake; a 2,000-liter silt sedimentation tank; a reinforced concrete meter post and 114 household connections. It also includes four cement concrete valve chambers: a ferrocement roughing filter, and a renovated water storage tank. Each household has been provided with a water meter, ensuring improved monitoring and management of water usage. Tool kits have been provided to the Pradeshiya Sabha to enable repairs and maintenance of the system.

Recognizing the significance of this milestone, Ms. S.B. Samarasekera, Assistant Government Agent of Nuwara Eliya, expressed her appreciation on the transformative benefits of the gravity-fed water supply system. A Water Safety Plan has also been jointly developed with the community and local authorities, outlining measures for water quality monitoring, emergency preparedness, and cost recovery to ensure financial sustainability.

The provision of this system directly addresses water scarcity issues in the area, while promoting proper water management, and fostering a sense of ownership among users. Access to purified, chlorinated water will also help protect the community from waterborne diseases, contributing to better health and well-being. This strategic initiative by UN-Habitat and KOICA reflects a holistic commitment to community development — delivering immediate health and hygiene benefits while laying the foundation for long-term positive changes to the community.

The Strengthening Socioeconomic Resilience of Communities Affected by the COVID–19 Pandemic in Central and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka project is implemented from 2022-2025 by UN-Habitat in the Nuwara Eliya and Badulla Districts. Increasing access to sustainable, safe water and adequate sanitation for poor and vulnerable communities is a key component of the project. UN-Habitat is establishing 11 community water supply systems through this project in Nuwara Eliya District.