USAID provides safe water to Ampara community

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the international relief organisation AmeriCares to fund the completion of a Water Distribution Network for the Ulla community in Ampara district, on Tuesday.

The project will serve 2,400 inhabitants in the Arugam Bay area by distributing clean and safe drinking water directly to the people, a USAID release said.

The wells serving this community were mostly open, which had been overtopped and polluted by the tsunami.

The $ 1 million AmeriCares grant will now be added to USAID's already committed US $6 million investment in wells, transmission lines, treatment plant and a large elevated storage tank to assure new safe water sources.

This additional contribution will allow the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) to work with the local users to connect the supply directly to their homes, schools and livelihoods, also benefiting the tourism-related businesses.

The new water treatment plant and distribution system have been designed in partnership with the NWSDB.