CMC, like all other local authorities in the area, is engaged in looking for householders who permit collection of tiny water pools in their premises that promote mosquito breeding with authority to prosecute them. Amidst this kind of situation it is difficult to imagine that a people based institution like the CMC will allow sewers to open up into streets and let raw sewage flow all over. It is pertinent to find out the State Agency responsible for the Colombo Sewerage System.

Colombo Sewerage Works were vested in the NWSDB in the 1980s to fulfill requirements to obtain World Bank Loans. Since then CMC has been contracted for performing operation and maintenance work. It is unlikely that this arrangement has been reversed because there is no pro-vision in the NWSDB Act to divest what is vested in the NWSDB. Besides, NWSDB is responsible for repaying the loans obtained for carrying out improvements to Colombo Sewerage Works. Yet, what the CMC says about non availability of sufficient funds for repair and maintenance of the aging sewers must be correct.

On the other hand, the Act does not entrust any responsibility for repair and maintenance of sewers to NWSDB. It fixes responsibility on the rate payers. NWSDB Act provides that it can fine and pursue action in District Court or Magistrate’s Court against users and others within its area of authority for neglect of maintenance, timely repair, etc pertaining to sewers. Please read Sections 40 to 56 in the NWSDB Act if you need confirmation. It is difficult to imagine the plight of the people if CMC goes round fining people for water collecting in their premises and NWSDB pursues legal action against city dwellers affected by regularly bursting sewers for neglect of repair and maintenance of sewers.

This, perhaps, could be reason why NWSDB opts to keep quiet about these problems arising from bursting sewers and spillage of sewage.