Sunpower is part of an unprecedented effort to supply clean, potable water to the Eastern Coastal Towns of Ampara District. Spread over 15 years, this initiative will bring piped water to almost 650 000 people by 2025.

A land abounding in water bodies, large and small, Sri Lanka has been sustained by reservoir systems from ancient times. There is an urgent need to harness these water sources to supply clean, potable, pipe borne water to large urban and rural populations. This need is particularly acute in the eastern parts of Ampara District. As recently as 11 years ago, the region had no access to clean water on tap.

1994: A New Initiative

In 1994, Sunpower, in association with Dorr-Oliver Australia Pty. Ltd of Australia, undertook a turnkey project on design and build basis to construct a one million gallons per day (1 mgd) water supply scheme for Kalmunai and Marathamunai towns in Ampara District, serving over 30 000 people. Sunpower was responsible for design, construction and project management of all civil works and the local component of the project.

Sunpower was ready to take on an even larger challenge when the Government of Sri Lanka launched the Integrated Water Supply Project for Eastern Coastal Towns of Ampara District. 

1999: Integrated Water Supply Project

In 1999, Sunpower, in association with Outokumpu Technology Pty Ltd of Australia, undertook a USD 35 million turnkey contract on design and build basis to construct a 4 mgd scheme for Sainthamaruthu, Karathivu, Mawadipalli towns and the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka at Oluvil. The target population was 90 000 people. As before, Sunpower was responsible for design, construction and project management of all civil works and the local component of the project. 

2002: Phase II

In 2002, the Project was extended. Sunpower and Outokumpu undertook a USD 80 million turnkey contract as the second phase to build a 12 mgd scheme for Akkaraipattu, Addalaichenai, Palamunai, Oluvil, Ninthavur, Pandiruppu, Marathamunai and Irakkamam towns for a population of 280 000 people. This phase of the project will be completed by December 2005.

2005: Final Phase

The final phase of the Integrated Water Supply Scheme will begin in 2005, to be completed in December 2009. The estimated cost of this phase is USD 185 million.

Click here to view the map of Scheme area