Brandix, HSBC build water supply schemes in Pooneryn

Over 800 families in two villages on the outskirts of Pooneryn, have been provided with water through an initiative by Brandix and HSBC.

One of the water points in Neplow village (left) and the overhead tank that serves Pallikudah.

The first of the two-phase initiative consisted of building two solar-powered water supply systems for the villages of Pallikudah and Neplow, five and three kilometres from Pooneryn, an area that suffers from severe shortages of drinking water for several months of the year.

The two water supply schemes built under this community project comprising two overhead tanks of 5,000 litres each, one feeding three storage tanks of 2,000 litres with taps at strategic points in Pallikudah and, the other supplying two similar sized storage tanks in Neplow, are powered by solar energy to minimise maintenance costs.

Construction work on the two water supply schemes was undertaken by the Sri Lanka Army's 661 Brigade, with funds provided by Brandix and HSBC.

The project to provide water supply infrastructure to Pallikudah and Neplow was launched in March last year as part of the commitment of the two companies to the UN World Water Day initiative.

Neplow, which is home to some 350 families suffers from drinking water shortages for six to eight months of the year.

When the drought is most severe during July, August and September, even the water in the few wells in the village cannot be consumed due to high salinity.

Pallikudah, which accommodates 450 families, is similarly affected. Both communities are sustained by fishing and farming, the two principal livelihoods in Pooneryn.

The second phase of this initiative, which will commence later this year, will include the development of livelihood programs for these two villages.