MAGA completes civil works of Kelani Right-Bank Water Supply Project, Stage II

The Kelani Right-Bank (KRB) Water Treatment Plant is the joint-largest in the Country, and is expected to benefit more than 1.7 million people in industrial zones and fast-growing suburbs of Northern Colombo and Gampaha. It is a significant milestone in the Government’s efforts to enhance access to safe drinking water for all citizens, while preparing to meet future demands of a rapidly developing country. The newly constructed water treatment plant will be ceremoniously opened in November 2020, following on-schedule completion despite the prevailing COVID-19 global pandemic.

KRB Stage-II was a monumental undertaking aiming to double the existing plant’s capacity. The project was implemented by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) with the Main Contractor Suez of France, a global expert in the sector who is the largest drinking water provider in the world. MAGA’s scope of civil works amounted to LKR 9 billion and included construction of a water treatment plant with 180,000m³/day capacity, installation of a 1200mm diameter DI treated-water pumping main, laying of over 30km of transmission lines, and construction of a 560mm HDPE treated effluent pipeline from Biyagama Export Processing Zone downstream to avoid pollution of river water upstream.

The new plant is capable of treating the large quantities of water required for a growing population and economy, and accommodating potential changes in water quality and availability brought on by climate change. The project also included laying of water-supply lines critical to maintaining and expanding water supply to townships in the Western Province including Biyagama, Kelaniya, Kiribathgoda, Kadawatha, Ragama, Wattala, Kandana, Ja-Ela, Seeduwa, and Ganemulla. Project teams installed major transmission and distribution mains across marshy terrain, canals, steep hill sections and busy highways; instating connections to existing lines; and constructing necessary bridge crossings, trenchless micro-tunnels, and above-ground supports to ensure safe and secure delivery of treated water.

Commenting on the project, Director Water Works of MAGA, Mega Kularatne stated: “to bring this project to life, we deployed multiple project managers, construction teams and specialists experienced in the delivery of large-scale water projects. Despite a challenging two years due to Easter Attacks and COVID-19, successful completion of the project was possible through the collective effort of a total workforce comprising 1400 engineers, technicians, skilled craftspersons, and dedicated construction workers. We thank the NWSDB and SUEZ for the guidance and support extended to us to complete the civil works.”

The project team faced significant construction challenges such as deep-rock excavation requiring controlled chemical blasting and hydraulic rock-splitting, and precision engineering for filter slabs and beams within a very congested construction site. They carried out construction and pipe-laying in a variety of terrain, dealing with multiple stakeholders and installing critical infrastructure with minimal disturbance to communities, all while maintaining stringent safety and environmental protection standards in compliance with the requirements of relevant authorities and stakeholders.