The Delft Island, also known as Neduntheevu, is an island in the Palk Strait of Northern Sri Lanka and, administratively, it is a part of the Northern Province. It is oval shaped and occupies an area of 50 sq. km with its length of about 8 km and width of about 6 km. About 1,500 families live in the Island. The total population is about 4,500.
Most of the inhabitants are poor. The residents are engaged in cattle, goat and poultry farming and fishing. The income of more than 60% of the population is below the “poverty line” and they receive Government subsidy. The most limiting factor for a healthy living of the inhabitants is the unavailability of good quality drinking water. The water is brackish and good water wells are very difficult to find. Drinking water is hauled from the mainland by boats and supplied to the residents by bowsers.
Realizing the drinking water problem of the Island, the Government of Sri Lanka, through ADB assistance, has installed a water treatment plant that converts sea water into drinking water. The Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant is managed by the the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) of Jaffna. The estimated cost of the project was Rs. 56 million. The plant has a capacity of producing 100 cubic meters of drinking water per day, which is adequate to supply drinking water to all its residents.
The water treatment plant project does not provide connection to individual homes. This means, many residents still will have to collect water from the main supply points or pay for the bowser to fill the water tanks in their homes. However, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) could provide connection to homes if the residents can pay for the connection. The payment for residents whose income is below the poverty line is about Rs. 5,700.00 (about US $40).
Contributions to this project can be made by making a payment to “WSSTA”.
WSSTA’s mailing address is:
PO Box 1644
Woodinville WA
98072-1644.
Payments can be deducted as charity contributions and matched by employers where applicable