Story and images Byron Pakula

The tsunami took more than lives, livelihoods, houses, schools and health facilities when it wrought havoc around the island nation of Sri Lanka almost two years ago, it also destroyed water supplies systems critical to the wellbeing of thousands of families.

Australian Red Cross Country Manager in Sri Lanka Barry Armstrong says that providing quality water supplies can be easily overlooked in a rush to build permanent houses, but responding agencies overlook this vital link in the chain at their peril. 'The tsunami created an overwhelming demand on aid agencies and the Government of Sri Lanka for basic services and infrastructure--not just for housing', says Barry. Even once reconstructed houses are completed many families have had to remain in transitional shelters or relatives' homes waiting for basic services--like permanent water supplies.

The Seenimodara water tower will reduce community reliance on tube wells and hand pumps.

'In Seenimodara and Moriaketoria, near Tangalle in Southern Sri Lanka, 350 tsunami-affected families have been provided housing by three aid agencies, but some of these families have been unable to live in their new homes because of the lack of permanent water,' says Barry. 'Currently, the families are relying on hand pumps and tube wells for their water needs, though due to a high iron content those able to afford better water pay for three-wheel motorcycles to drive a 2km round trip to collect supplies. This is clearly a high cost, unsustainable situation for these fishing communities.'

In response, Australian Red Cross is nearing completion of a piped water supply system for the 350 tsunami-affected families--plus 50 existing houses--and a new pre-school in Moriaketoria that currently relies on donations to pay for bowser water.

The project--worth AUD $1.562 million--is designed to provide safe and sustainable water for the permanent housing scheme in Seenimodara. This includes a 20 metre water tower, treatment plant, pump house and all of the relevant infrastructure. This will assist families who are having to travel such an unacceptable distance to buy water. The system will pump up to 245,000 litres per day of groundwater from two bore holes to a water treatment plant and then the water tower in Seenimodara. Over ten kilometers of high-quality polyethylene piping is used to deliver the water.

The construction of the water tower, groundwater tank, pumping mains, landscaping and many of the distribution pipes are complete, while the borehole intake is 95% complete. As the project takes shape, local people's excitement grows. One local man who stands to benefit says: 'relying on groundwater is hard. We see the construction and we are pleased. We trust the Australian Red Cross. We know water will be coming. We want the water as soon as possible.'   Barry Armstrong says the project is designed to provide a holistic solution to the community's water needs. 'The pipes and machinery are designed with the community in mind, ensuring easy operations, community-based management and minimal maintenance for fifty years. As people see the tower being constructed, more and more families are beginning to move into their new homes.'

The Seenimodara water tower is nearing completion. It is being built by Australian Red Cross to provide a permanent water supply to 400 tsunami-affected families in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan Water Board and a local community-based organisation will manage the water supply system, and Australian Red Cross will support the training of the relevant people during a 12-month handover phase. The project is due for completion in September 2007.