Rain Water Harvesting Policy in Sri Lanka

Dr Tanuja Ariyananda - Lanka Rain Water Harvesting Forum

[ Harvesting rainwater]

* First National policy on Rain Water Harvesting

* Gazette to amend Urban Development Authority drainage laws passed on August 25, 2007

* Rain Water Harvesting International Workshop - Kandy in 2006

Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans are world famous for its water resource management. The first ever dam built in the world Tissa Wawe (3rd Century BC) is recorded from this island (History of Dams, 1994) and also the famous proclamation by King Parakramabahu the Great (1153-1186 AD), “.....let not even a small quantity of water obtained by rain, go to the sea without benefiting man” (Arumugam, 1969, quoted from Mahawansa), shows the wisdom and commitment of ancient kings and people to conserve and efficiently manage water resources.

In more recent times, Sri Lanka has another first in water management, that is we have the first National Policy on Rain Water Harvesting.

Urban Development and Water Supply Minister Dinesh Gunawardena initiated the formulation of a National Policy and Strategy for Rain Water Harvesting in 2005 and was approved by the government. The policy objective is aimed at encouraging communities to control water near its source by harvesting rainwater.

This results in, minimizing the use of treated water for secondary purposes, reduction of flooding, improving soil conservation and groundwater recharge, providing water for domestic use with adequate treatment, agricultural benefits and reduce energy consumption.

A gazette to amend the Urban Development Authority (UDA) drainage laws was also presented by Minister Gunawardena and was passed in Parliament on August 25, 2007. In addition the regulation has been gazetted on April 17, 2009, which makes rainwater harvesting mandatory in certain categories of new buildings in areas under Municipal and Urban Council jurisdiction.

Minister has also initiated promotion of rainwater harvesting in the South Asian region by hosting an International Workshop on Rain Water Harvesting in Kandy in 2006.

The workshop was attended by five Ministers from SAARC countries, where they signed a declaration to exchange experience and know-how, and use different methods of rain water harvesting to contribute to solving poverty and water needs of human kind, other living being and the environment.

Water is not only one of the most essential daily needs for the humans and other living beings, but is also important for the sustenance of biodiversity, ecology and overall health of the planet Earth. Because of the continuing increase in population, human consumption is causing a severe decline in the amount of available water resources.

Additionally, it is been predicted that there is strong impact of Global Climate Change on the availability and variability of water resources.

Rain water harvesting will reduce the pressure on present water source caused due to increase in demand, minimize the Government expenditure on subsidy, reduce water bills, minimize the use of treated water allowing more people to be served, save on energy needed to transport and treat water and will also reduce flooding in some cities.

Rainwater harvesting will also mitigate the effects of climate change on water resources during times of floods and drought.

If this timely action and direction by the Minister, is successfully implemented it will ensure that Sri Lankans will be self-sufficient in water, once enjoyed by our ancestors and are prepared for the impending water crises in the future due to the effect of climate change.