Established in 1966 as an advisory body relating to the water resources in Sri Lanka with emphasis on ground water.
Extended its portfolio to carry out implementation activities identifying with groundwater resources development potentialities distribution in Sri Lanka towards economic development strategies – 1978
Over 25 years of systematic and scientific groundwater exploration research, project planning, investigations and development.
Progressive skill development in hydrogeology, geophysics and geostructural analyses towards identification of groundwater resources distribution island wide specific to major hydrogeological zones.
Deep well drilling technological skills of the department of irrigation since 1966 were continuously developed acquiring capabilities of tapping excessively deep seated fractured and fissured hard rock aquifers.
To be the state organization responsible for overall well being of water resources of the Country.
Our Mission
To advise the government and the people and make necessary regulations & laws on assessing, conserving, harnessing, developing and frugally utilizing water resources in the country; and to implement the same in close collaboration with the rural society, relevant national and provincial level government institutions, private sector, international organizations and scientific communities here and abroad.
To ensure that the society today doesn’t pollute the water of future.
Objectives
Long term / Medium term / Short term
Research contributions supportive of the formation of national policies in respect of water resources development, exploration and sustainable exploitation with quality maintenance for multipurpose utilization and meeting social, economic and environmental needs.
In reinforcement of objective (1), systematic and accurate data collection and maintenance of scientific data in relation to the water resources of the country.
Involvement of : (a) regional, that is, relevant local government authorities; (b) national and international organizations in regard to the knowledge transfer and information exchange and (c) other scientific investigations relating to water resources of the country.
Awareness creation in the civil society about the importance of safe and sustainable use of water, and its responsibility on keeping the water unpolluted for future.
Assessment of the possible benefits and economic feasibility of projects suggested/undertaken by those referred to in item 3 above, relating to the sustainable exploitation of water resources of the country.
Setting up of an Inter-departmental Advisory Committee to reinforce greater mutual understanding for collaborative action where necessary, in relation to the above intended functions of the Water Resources Board (WRB), as per the Water Resources Board act.
Commencement of Water Bottling Project and other commercial ventures to
(a) Meet the self dependency and not to be a burden to the treasury.
(b) To set industrial standards on the same.
Activities
Studies on Earth Sciences and carrying out Hydrogeological investigations for the Assessment of potential Groundwater Resourceful Basins in the coastal sedimentary formations including the Jaffna Peninsula.
Identifying and exploration of less resourceful Crystalline Hard Rock regions, towards the development of extensively available deep seated Groundwater Resources for Drinking Water Supplies to the rural communities & townships, most of Industrial Ventures and for Small Scale Agricultural activities to enhance Economic Productivity and Prosperity.
Improving the existing Water Well Drilling Technologies and skills to upgrade Tubewell construction Techniques to meet the modern standards.
To identify Groundwater Zones or areas of development potential for monitoring of Physical and Chemical parameters on a periodical basis towards sustainable management of Groundwater Resources.
Adopt Geographical Information System Analysis to produce Geoscientific Maps with updated Data Bank Operational Network.
Services
Geohydrological interpretation of the available data towards groundwater resources development
Hydrogeological investigation and research for assessment and identification of groundwater resources potential in specific areas
Geophysical prospecting for selection of potential sites for groundwater resources
Geological mapping for deep electrical resistively probing particularly in coastal sedimentary basins for design and construction of excessively deep tube wells
Development of groundwater resources under all geological conditions to design and implement tube well water supply systems for all purposes.
Feasibility studies for prospecting groundwater resources development.
Analysis of water samples for chemical, microbiological and physical characteristics.
Gathering of all hydrogeological data for the preparation of geoscientific maps incorporating all parameters employing GIS technology and cartographical applications
Wind Mills – Utilization of renewable energy sources including design and installation of Wind Mills.
Scientific drilling of tube wells and bore holes for extraction of groundwater.
Cleaning, repair of tube wells and upgrading of water pumps and submersible pumps.
Conducting awareness programs in the utilization and managing of water resources for domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes.
Consultation and advice to clients on hydrogeological investigations and exploration of groundwater resources.
