Water Purification

• 8 out of 25 Sri Lankan districts are facing a water crisis due to the dry spell and sea water intrusion into surface water.
• Kalutara, Kegalle and Ratnapura districts are the most affected. The local authorities are addressing the crisis through tankering, installing water purification plants and water tanks in the affected areas.
• The seasonal climate outlook for March - May, issued by the Department of Meteorology on 4 March, indicates a continuation of the dry spell in March and April but the south-west monsoon, starting in May, is likely to improve the current situation.

Sanitation and drinking water estimates

• Use of improved sanitation facilities (2012) 92%
• Use of drinking-water from improved sources (2012) 94%

The Government plans to provide potable water purification units capable of purifying 200 litres of water within an hour to villages in the North Central, North and other areas which are facing a lack of safe drinking water. These units are also to be provided to areas where there has been an increase in waterborne Kidney diseases. There has been an increase of such diseases especially in the North Central Province in recent times.

Lead, pesticides, bacteria, viruses and many more physical, chemical, biological and radiological compounds and substances, find their way into the water supply. It is virtually impossible to remove all traces of contaminants from your water, so the local water authorities regulate how much of a specific substance it is acceptable for the water to contain. While water that lives up to these standards is usually considered safe to drink, you may have your own preference for how high a level of contaminants you feel comfortable having your drinking water contain. A private water purification lets you set your own limits.