Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2016-11-29

Implementation of the Priority Water Supply Projects in the Western Region Megapolis Area

- The Government has accorded priority to fulfil the necessary utility services to meet the needs of the growing population of the Western Region Megapolis Area. 97.3% of the population in the Western Region has access to safe water supply and 57.5% of them receive pipe borne water supply services. The 19 water treatment plants found in this region purify 1,078,520 Cu.m. of water per day. Based on the projected population of 8.7 Million in 2030 the demand for water is expected to grow up to about 2,200,000 Cu.m. per day for which new water supply schemes will have to be implemented. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Rauff Hakeem, the Minister of City Planning and Water Supply, to implement 05 new water supply schemes to cover Colombo and its immediate suburbs of the Western Region, Industrial Township of Meerigama, the proposed Aero city at Meerigama, Diwulapitiya, Homagama, Horana and the surrounding areas, was approved by the Cabinet.