PUCSL proposes standards and regulatory system for water fittings
Mar 19, 2019 (LBO) - Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) with corporation of other institutions has drafted the standards and regulatory measures for water fittings in Sri Lanka.
The standards are expected to create an enabling environment, to facilitate the participation of other regulatory agencies and relevant stakeholders to ensure that only quality water fittings are manufactured in the island and imported and available for purchase in the market.
In this regard, PUCSL has published a consultation paper that includes the proposed standards and regulatory system for the discussion among the stakeholders with the view to further improve the proposal.
The Consultation Document can be viewed and downloaded from www.pucsl.gov.lk.
PUCSL requests all stakeholders to submit written comments on the draft regulatory measures for water fittings on or before 27th March 2019, and cordially invite stakeholders to attend the oral session of the public consultation, to be held on Wednesday, 27th March 2019 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Cinema Lounge of the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH).
It is estimated that the average operation & maintenance cost of a cubic meter of water ranges between Rs. 40-50 per unit (cubic meter). Therefore, the average cost of water is Rs. 160 per unit including recovery of capital investment. Currently, the National Water Supply & Drainage Board recovers only is Rs. 47. Hence, the government has to subsidize the water sector in Sri Lanka.
This gap must be reduced for the government to secure funding for coverage expansion to achieve targets set.
It has been observed that excessive quantity of water is leaked due use of non-standard water fittings by Sri Lankan water consumers.
Sri Lanka imports most items related to water fittings from various countries. Since there is no import regulation or /and taxation inferior quality non-standards water fittings are flowing to Sri Lanka and it contributes much to water wastage and flowing foreign exchange out of the country.
Water conservation has been identified as a measure for addressing the huge capital requirement for providing new safe pipe born water supplies. Subsidised low tariff for water supply doesn’t motivate consumers to prevent leaks by replacing defective water fittings by standard water fittings.
Therefore, need for regulatory measures for fittings which contribute mostly for water wastage are identified. PUCSL expects to finalize the proposed standards and regulatory measures for water fittings after facilitating the stakeholder views and recommendations.