Press Releases
USAID Assists Sri Lanka’s Local Governments in
Sanitation Management
Colombo, October 1, 2008 - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Water and Drainage, and the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government have sponsored a national workshop in Sri Lanka to disseminate best practices in sanitation management.
Septic tanks are common throughout Sri Lanka, including urban areas like Colombo. Plugged or overflowing septic tanks compromise water quality and are a primary cause of diarrhea, the fifth-leading cause of hospitalization and third-leading cause of infant deaths in Sri Lanka. Correct maintenance of septic tanks through regular de-sludging, treatment and disposal of septage are important steps in improving public health, the environment and the economy.
USAID has assisted local government authorities to improve environmental services. The launching of a new manual on septage management, developed by USAID in partnership with the municipality of Nuwara Eliya, will improve environmental practices including septic tank maintenance, the use of vacuum trucks for collecting and transporting septage, and the treatment and safe disposal of septage.
The workshop brought together local officials, policy makers and sanitation professionals. “The aim of this initiative is to raise awareness that proper sanitation and hygiene is a necessary and worthwhile investment for governments at every level in every country,” Rebecca Cohn, USAID Mission Director said in her opening remarks. “For every dollar spent improving sanitation and hygiene, between $3 and $34 is saved in health, education and social and economic development,” she continued.
USAID’s Environmental Cooperation-Asia (ECO-Asia) program, managed from Bangkok, is leading this effort in cooperation with local partners. ECO-Asia promotes regional environmental cooperation by demonstrating best practices and strengthening regional institutions and networks throughout Southeast and South Asia.