News
Sewage system to be upgraded as part of Colombo’s makeover
View(s):By Ishu Bandara
Colombo is preparing for a comprehensive transformation under a new special Master Plan. However, this ambitious Master Plan is currently under discussion and has not yet been finalised, revealed Municipal Commissioner Palitha Nanayakkara.
According to Mr. Nanayakkara, the plan is scheduled for its second presentation to the President next month and, while expected to be initiated next year, securing the necessary funding will require time. The plan aims to provide a comprehensive roadmap for urban development and expansion.
This was revealed by Commissioner Nanayakkara after the Sunday Times inquired about Colombo’s historic sewage system, which is over 100 years old, faces major challenges, and is currently being upgraded through various projects funded by multiple sources.
Planning for the system began in 1896, with construction done roughly between 1906- 1925. Some parts are in poor condition and need renovation, and some sources suggest parts of the system may be over 200 years old.
Colombo has a residential population of 647,100 and a floating population of 400,000. The city covers 3,721.28 hectares and has over 120,000 housing units, nearly half of them substandard.
The Commissioner explained how the sewage system, built to serve 50,000 people, has now been stretched to serve millions. While the century-old system is still being maintained, it is continuously upgraded, with around Rs. 1.5 billion invested annually in maintenance and new development, including repairing leaks and collapses. He added that this is why authorities are moving towards a master plan.
Key components of the Master Plan include land management, the creation of vertical settlements, and the development of Kotuwa and Pettah as a Heritage City. The plan also details the development of Beira Lake with water fountains, an advanced traffic management system, and proposals for the development of abandoned lands.
The plans also include major beautification efforts and the introduction of new shuttle transport services. The Commissioner highlighted transforming D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha into a recreational area and upgrading Viharamahadevi Park with a night bazaar and a green walking path. The aim is to make Colombo a top tourism destination.
Regarding funding, the Commissioner said, “Funding for parts of the project is expected from the World Bank, and additional funding proposals are being prepared.”
According to the Commissioner, several government agencies are involved or expected to join this initiative, including the Urban Development Authority, Road Development Authority and Central Environmental Authority.
More than 80% of Colombo is served by a sewerage system comprising over 250 km of pipelines connected to 13 pumping stations. These stations channel wastewater through a network of pipes to two deep-sea outfalls, which discharge about 30 million gallons of sewage into the sea each day.
The city faces several challenges. Fourteen areas do not have piped sewers. The system often suffers blockages and collapses because some pumping stations do not work efficiently, causing silt to build up. The formation of H₂S gases damages the pipes.
When the Sunday Times inquired about this, CMC Director of Engineering (water supply and drainage) R A T P Ranawaka acknowledged that the system is very old, leading to cracks, leaks, and occasional collapses, many going undetected underground. Installing new pipes or rebuilding the system is highly complex. Constructing an entirely new system is also not practical, due to space constraints and the need to manage the ongoing sewage flow.
He added, “There are ongoing projects to develop pumping stations. For example, a new station is being built to handle 6,000 cubic meters per day. The primary obstacle to carrying out these extensive projects is funding. While loans have been secured from entities like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for some projects, more significant funds are needed, potentially billions”.
He further said, “A SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system is being implemented at the Maligakanda head office, which will enable centralised operation and monitoring of the entire sewage network, including flows from all pumping stations. Newly constructed facilities will also be integrated into this system. In addition, about 70–80% of the city’s sewage mapping has been completed, including detailed internal inspections of pipelines using cameras to detect leaks and blockages.”
The focus is on maintaining and improving the existing system. The master plan is expected to provide a comprehensive roadmap for future development, taking into account the city’s ongoing urban expansion.
Also the SCADA system will enable more efficient management and operation of the entire network.
The overall effort is significant and costly, but necessary to prevent the collapse of the city’s essential services.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!