Water Works Department
Our Vision
A clean and healthy urban area enriched by a planned, uninterrupted water service and drainage system that preserves the unique cultural heritage of Kandy for future generations.
Our Mission
Identifying the needs and expectations of the residents within the Kandy Municipal Council limits, the mission of the Water Supply and Drainage Department is to efficiently produce, distribute, and drain water, providing consumers with uninterrupted, quality drinking water under existing legal conditions and establishing effective water and wastewater management.
Objective
To provide uninterrupted services with good water and wastewater management for the residents and migrant population of the Kandy Municipal Council, and to meet the increasing customer demand in the future.
Introduction
The Water Supply and Drainage Department of the Kandy Municipal Council consists of two main divisions: the Water Supply Division and the Drainage Division. The Kandy Municipal Council is responsible for providing clean drinking water for consumption and use to all residents and the migrant population within its jurisdiction. Water supply through pipelines began in 1873. According to the Municipal Council Ordinance, the Kandy Municipal Council is responsible for the health of the urban population. The Waterworks Ordinance initially established for the Colombo Municipal Council was amended to be applicable to the Kandy Municipal Council and is used for water supply purposes. Under this ordinance, the Mayor is granted authority to appoint a suitable and competent person as the Chief Waterworks Engineer. The ordinance provides extensive powers to the Waterworks Engineer to ensure clean drinking water is supplied to the public.
Main Office
Getambe Water Purification Plant
Maintenance and Distribution
New Water Services and Development
Manpower and Revenue Division
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Water Resource Area
Drainage Division
This includes providing drinking water to public areas for the migrant population.- Developing and maintaining public bathing wells.
- Supplying water for city beautification.
- Preventing wastewater from entering Kandy Lake and its connected canals.
- Implementing a wastewater project to prevent sewage from mixing with drinking water sources.
- Managing rainwater.
- Maintaining the public toilet system.
- General Administration and Customer Service.
- Water Production.
- Water Distribution, System Operation, and Maintenance
- Development of the Water Distribution System and Purification Plants
- Rationalizing Water Usage and Revenue Collection
Waterworks Engineer
Administrative Officer
Technical Officer
Management Services Officer
Development Officer
Field Administrator
Public Health Inspector
Watershed Area Officer
Overseer - Civil
Water Meter Reader
Laboratory Assistant
Technical Assistant
Civil Administrator
Foreman
Electrician
Driver
Plumber
Shift Administrator
Valve Operator
Water Treatment Operator
CCTV Machine Operator
Mechanical Driver
Pump Operator
Helper
Office Assistant
Security Guard
Laborer
Technical Officer (Electrical)
Main Water Sources
- Getambe Water Purification Plant
- Rosnith Reservoir
- Dunumadalawa Tank
- Gohagoda Water Supply Board - Asgiriya Water Tank
Getambe Water Purification Plant
Clean drinking water is produced in adequate quantities and pumped to the main reservoir (water tank). A 24-hour operational laboratory carries out quality control and testing. A water sampling lab and chemistry services are available for this. Water bowser distribution is also carried out, along with mechanical and electrical maintenance work.
New Water Services and Development
Under this division, estimates for new water services are prepared and provided. Also, numerous rehabilitation and development works are carried out under a five-year plan and annual plan. Modernization of pump stations, construction of water tanks, laying of water pipelines, renovation of public wells and tanks, restoration of dug-up roads, and modification of water pipelines in line with other projects like sewer, main roads, and water pipeline works are conducted. Water tanks are placed and services provided during various festivals; water services are provided to schools accommodating police officers during the Esala Perahera, and water tanks are placed along the procession route for spectators and devotees. Supervision of development projects is also carried out. The number of new water services provided in 2023 was 373.
Metering and Revenue Division
The primary division directly affecting water revenue is water metering. Responsibilities include water meter inspection, relocation, fault checking, necessary repairs, servicing, installing new meters, fixing leaks near meters, and issuing reports. This division also investigates illegal water usage. Additionally, it disconnects unpaid services and reconnects them upon payment. Fault inspection of meters, site inspections for billing issues, reporting changes in usage patterns, and issuing water bills are handled here. The computer division handles bill generation, reading entry, bill revisions, and related tasks.
Assigning the University of Peradeniya and the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka to conduct a detailed study on flooding in Kandy and prepare a flood control master plan.- Requiring every house to build "storm water storage tanks" to prevent full discharge of rainwater into drains and canals.
- Constructing a new reservoir in the upper area of Dunumadalawa Reserve.
- Installing gauges in the reservoirs in Dunumadalawa and monitoring water levels via SCADA system with mobile alerts.
- Installing several silt traps (ron mada) in key locations.
- Re-excavating and clearing Meda Ela, Haloya, and Dunumadalawa (Bogambara) canal in collaboration with the Department of Irrigation.
- Removing unauthorized silt traps (ron mada) and burying them underground at appropriate locations.
- Amending building regulations to require buildings to leave space in front for canals and water features.
- Enhancing recreational and community activities along canal banks.