The National Water Supply and Drainage Board suspended operations at two major treatment plants overnight after residents discovered blue-coloured water flowing from a container yard near the Kelani River. Following extensive testing, authorities confirmed water quality met safety standards and resumed normal…
An emergency water supply shutdown affecting Colombo and surrounding areas was lifted after authorities completed overnight testing that confirmed no harmful contaminants had entered the distribution system. The incident began when residents in Heiyanthuduwa noticed unusually coloured water flowing through paddy fields yesterday afternoon, which they traced to a drainage outlet connected to a private container yard approximately 3.5 kilometres from the Kelani River.
Concerned about potential chemical contamination of a vital drinking water source, residents immediately alerted public health inspectors and police. The National Water Supply and Drainage Board suspended operations at both the Ambatale and Kelani South Bank Water Treatment Plants at around 11:30 p.m. as a precautionary measure, triggering a large-scale emergency response involving multiple government agencies including the Disaster Management Centre and Central Environmental Authority.
Representatives from the container yard told media that a shipment containing a rubber glove manufacturing solution had leaked before entering the premises. They claimed workers cleaned the empty container and that rainwater subsequently carried residual liquid beyond the property boundaries. However, the company declined to disclose the specific identity of the substance involved. Residents reported observing soil being spread over the affected area, raising questions about potential cover-up attempts.
NWSDB Chairman Chandana Bandara stated that continuous water quality monitoring at multiple points along the Kelani River, combined with laboratory analysis throughout the night, confirmed safety standards were met. The treatment plants resumed operations at approximately 4:30 a.m., restoring water distribution to the affected areas. Bandara acknowledged the inconvenience caused but characterized the shutdown as a necessary precautionary measure given the uncertainty at the time.
A joint investigation by police, environmental authorities and the Disaster Management Centre is ongoing to determine the exact nature of the substance, whether environmental regulations were violated, and what enforcement action may be warranted. Four complaints have been registered regarding the incident.
