Project Update

Sanitation and Well Protection/Decontamination Project

Lanka Academic Network

Tissa H. Illangasekare

January 7, 2005.

Field activities: I got in touch with Champaka Paulis one his ay back from the field. He will submit a report to me that I will forward to LacNet. This is a summary:

The project proceeded mostly as planned with toilet installation and well cleaning. But, some modifications had to be made as the situation changed from day to day in the field. The need for temporary toilets varied form place to place. The displaced people started to find other accommodation and temporary toilets were not needed at some places. Instead, semi-permanent toilets were installed where they had longer-term needs. As the coliform test kits did not get in time to be used during cleaning, the operation only focused on pumping and de-chlorination. Most of the wells were highly salinated and the water level had gone up by 3 feet in some locations. Pumping in these cases was not much help.

As the government is going to ban any habitation within 100 meter from the ocean, some of these wells may never be used. However, the threat still exists for bacterial contamination in wells outside these restricted areas where people will be re-settled. The experience gained in this project will be useful in future activities. Use of the test kits should be part of this effort.

As other local resources were made available to the project, all LacNet allocated funds were not utilized. The government is trying to get school buildings used for temporary camps to be vacated for the schools to start in mid January. At that time, the need for more organized camps will become necessary and the protection and monitoring of wells around these camps will be needed. If LacNet agrees, it can decide to redirect these funds to a long term well monitoring program organized by other local volunteer groups. The student volunteers will not be available after January 10^th when the universities start.

Champaka will prepare a report with pictures, expenses etc. and I will forward this to LacNet.

LacNet Coordination: The test kits shipped from IDEXX arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (Friday), but were not cleared from customs, as Champaka had to be present. He is planning to be in Colombo. We have contacted appropriate people for help to get them out to Dr. Kodikara in University of Kelaniya. IWMI is also interested in receiving the kits to be used by them and other NGOs. I am in touch with Dr. Villholth related to both these short term and other planned activities. Chamapaks will get in touch with Dr. Kodikara to transfer the test kits. I suggest Geetha to coordinate this effort as she is in touch with Dr. Kodikara.