Water Security for Resettlement Areas in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka through Rainwater Harvesting

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Project Water security for resettlement areas in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka through rainwater harvesting
Project Areas District of Vavuniya in the Northern Province
DurationFebruary 2012 to July 2013
Funded byUnited States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Project Cost$ 483,432 as USAID’s contribution
$ 44,000 LRWHF’s contribution
$ 79,500 in Community and Partner participation
Project Objective
  • Lobbying at the local government level to raise awareness on government policy and regulation on rain water harvesting
  • Increasing awareness among beneficiaries on the benefits of rainwater harvesting for domestic and home garden use
  • Demonstrate methods of provision of clean drinking water facilities for IDP returnees in resettlement areas
  • Creating a pool of trained masons on constructing rainwater harvesting systems
  • Increase the quality and quantity of ground water tables in the target areas
  • Improved health of the community due to drinking uncontaminated water
  • Improving the food security of the resettling community through development of home gardens
Outputs of the Project
Proposed Activity Expected Outputs
1. Capacity building and Awareness
  • 60 Officials trained on rain water harvesting technology
  • 250 Community members made aware on rain water harvesting technology
  • 10 masons trained
2. Construction of 750 domestic rain water harvesting systems
  • 750 RWH systems constructed in the districts
  • Approx. 3,750 people supplied with safe drinking water
3. Training to Householders
  • - 750 households trained on O&M and home gardening
4. Establishment of rain water harvesting system in Schools and Hospitals
  • - Establish 9 RWH demonstration RWH system in Vavuniya district directly benefiting estimated 1800 people
5. Establishment of Nursery Centers
  • 10 nursery centers in the district providing planting materials to householders
6. Water Quality Monitoring
  • RWH systems monitored for water quality & quantity
  • Survey report
7. Networking with Relevant Authorities
  • List of organizations for sharing information
  • Quarterly reports
8. Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Survey report
  • Performance and impact of project activity
  • Final report
Activities conducted (up to February 2013)1. Awareness program for Public:
Lanka Rain Water Harvesting Forum (LRWHF) conducted an exhibition for school children and public at Muslim Maha Vidiyala Adiyapuliyamkulam, Vavuniya on the 15th& 16th of February 2013. It was declared opened by His Excellency William Weinstein Deputy Chief of Mission, US and Hon. Hunais Farook MP for Vanni District.

Awareness program for Public Awareness program for Public
Awareness program to Officials:
Lanka Rain Water Harvesting Forum (LRWHF) conducted an awareness program for government officials and Non Government Organizations in Vavuniya district on the 23rd of March 2012 to mark this year’s World Water Day. The chief guest at this occasion was Mrs P.S.M. Charles, District Secretary of Vavuniya.

Awareness program to Officials
In the Picture: Mrs P.S.M. Charles, District Secretary of Vavuniya, Mr Adam Schmidt, Director, Humanitarian Affairs USAID, Dr Tanuja Ariyananda, Director, LRWHF, Mr F. Kennedy, Project Co-ordinator, LRWHF
2. Training program for masons:
During this training program 8 mason from the district obtained hand on experience on construction of 8000 litre Ferro cement tank for 5 days from 23rd – 27th March at Cheddikulam, Vavniya.


In the picture: Mr Rudra Wijendram, Filed Co-ordinator, LRWHF, Chairman, RDS, Cheddikulam, past Chairman RDS, K. Kamelaswaran, N. Rajenthiran, I. Pul Lappei, K. Vijitharan, P. Ravichchandran, S.I. Siddeek, M. Riyal, Master mason Mr Nishantha Uday Kumara, masons, Dr Tanuja Ariyananda, Director LRWHF
3. Construction of domestic rain water harvesting systems:
750 rain water harvesting systems have been constructed at households in the villages of Andiyapuliyankulam GN Division, Sriramapura and Annanagar at Kaththaesinnakulam GN Division, Thallikulam GN Division, Samanankulam GN Division, Asikulam GN Division, Maharambaikulam GN Division, Kudakachchakodiya GN Division, Mahamylankulam GN Division, Pavatkulam unit 2 GN Division, Mamaduwa GN Division, Sooduventhapulavu GN Division , Mahakachchakodiya GN Division, Mamaduwa GN Division, Puthubulankulam GN Division, Kanakarayankulam GN Division, Olumadu GN Division, Nedunkerny North GN Division, Nedunkerny South GN Division, Maarailuppai GN Division and Sooduventhapulavu GN Division.
4. Training to Householders:
Training programs were held on operation and maintenance of rain water harvesting system and home garden to beneficiary households in the villages of Andiyapuliyankulam, Srirampuram, Annanagar, Thallikulam, Aachchipuram, Katkulam, Matheenanagar, Kudakachchkodiya, Mylankulam, Pavatkulam, Mamadu, Suduvendupulguv, Mahakachikudi, Thirapumadu and Agrapura. Seeds packets containing 5 vegetable seeds and 3 perennial plants (Fruits) have been distributed to each household to develop their home garden.
5. Establishment of rain water harvesting system in Schools and Hospitals:
Rain water harvesting systems and recharging systems have been constructed at Thallikulam G.T.M Pampainnady Ayruvedic hospital, Annanagar School Muslim Maha Vidayalaya Andiyapuliyankulam, Pavatkulam base Hospital, Mylankulam School, Cheddikulam Base hospital and Olumadu Government Tamil Mixed School.
6. Establishment of Nursery Centers:
Ten nursery centres were set up at Andiyapuliyankulam, Thalikulam, Track 7 (PeriyaUlukulama), Karupanichchankulam and Murugannur (Asikulam),Ambalangodalla, Mamaduwa, Kaththarsinnakulam, Nainamadu, Nedunkerny. Each nursery center was given a net house and equipment to operate the nursery center.





A training program was held at Agriculture training center Muruganoor for selected Nursery farmers. It was conducted by District Agricultural Training Centre (DATC), Vavuniya. The Agriculture extension Director, Agriculture extension staffs and Farm manager Conducted the program.
7. Water Quality Monitoring:
Water quality survey was conducted in 20 households Thalikulam, Srirampuram and Annanagar villages. Chemical and physical parameters such as pH, Conductivity, TDS, temperature and biological parameters such Fecal Coliform was tested.

Report: Water Quality Monitoring | View [PDF - 1.12 MB]
8. Monitoring and Evaluation Survey Summery:
This survey is conducted as a part of the project activity with the objective of monitoring an evaluating the project impact at household level in Vavuniya district. Out of the 350 rain water harvesting system constructed for the project up to January 2013, 89 households (20%) were randomly selected for this survey. Survey reports that the major reason for requesting a RWH system in households of sample beneficiaries is not having reliable water source for their day-to-day activities, followed by the need to store water from outside like bowser water. Most of the people use the rain water system whenever water is available in the tank. About 27% use the RWH system throughout the year for different purposes. Although about 7% of the tanks found to be not used at present, all households have used it one time or the other. Some people use this tank during the rainy season only. Some fill the tank with bowser water when the tank is empty during the dry season. The main use of rain water during both seasons is for cooking, followed by drinking. Most of people use harvested water for drinking purpose after boiling. Most of tanks are recently built and people mention still they cannot use for drinking, because it has cement smell and taste. About 93% of rain water users are cleaning the roof and gutter before the rain. All of them are allow the first flush to wash the roof.

Report: Monitoring and Evaluation Survey Summery | View [PDF - 1.23 MB]