The city has been experiencing severe health and environmental issues with consequent scocial concerns owing to haphazard urbanization social concerns owing to haphazard urbanization, rapid population growth and above all, improper wastewater disposal that threaten human wellbeing.
Wastewater generated from the city that flows through the drainage system, canals and rivulets eventuaaly finds its way to the Mahaweli river and the Kandy Lake polluting these sources that enhance the beauty of the city. Mahaweli river is the country's most dependable source of irrigation, and it supplies drinking water to Kandy and Matale Municipalities.