Expertise: Water Specialist
Expertise Group: Engineering
Consultant Source: National
TOR Keywords: Water Specialist
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
The Water Supply Specialist will be a team member of the project preparatory team to conduct due
diligence (technical, economic, financial, environmental, and social safeguards, institutional, and
gender assessments) for the proposed Climate Resilient Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Project
in Sri Lanka. The Water Supply Specialist will work in close collaboration with other due diligence and
relevant government officials, stakeholders, consultants and report to the ADB project team leader (PTL)
preparing the project.
Project Summary
The project will provide improved water supply services in western and southern provinces. Improved
sanitation services will be provided in the northern province. Interventions in the Western Province
will enhance water availability and water reliability in the Greater Colombo and adjoining areas. These
towns face (i) increasing water demand due to the fast development of new and vertical settlements and
(ii) unsatisfactory water services level. This will achieve through; (i) increase water production
capacity in the Ambatale water treatment plant by 50,000 m3 per day, (ii) reduce NRW in the Kolonnawa
water distribution areas where present NRW is over 30% and (iii) improve water transmission and
distribution systems. The Southern Province towns of Lunugamwehera and surrounding areas (i) are located
in the dry zone rural areas at strategically potential economic growth of urbanized centres, tourist
hotspots and the Mattala International Airport; (ii) need to address groundwater quality issues due to
geological formations with high fluoride, iron, calcite, and manganese, and potential saline intrusion;
and (iii) need to expand the water coverage to unserved areas and new settlements. Safe and reliable
water supply in the area will be provided through strengthening the water treatment capacity of existing
water treatment plant capacity from 17,000 m3 per day to 37,000 m3 per day and expanding and
strengthening water transmission and distribution system. In the northern province main city of Jaffna,
water supply services have been improved by ADB supported Jaffna Kilinochchi water supply project. The
proposed intervention under this project to implement a wastewater management system for densely
populated areas of the Jaffna peninsula. The proposed wastewater treatment plant capacity is 7,000 m3
per day.
The project will be aligned with the following impact: sustainable and resilient water and sanitation
solutions ensuring consumer satisfaction provided. The project will have the following outcome: access
to efficient, reliable, and safe water supply and piped sewer services increased. The project has the
following major outputs:
Output 1. Water supply infrastructure improved. The project will support NWSDB in (i) enhancing service
levels in the Greater Colombo to meet the increasing demand, and by NRW reduction and enhanced water
production; (ii) expanding water supply coverage in the Southern Province, by switching from ground
water to surface water sources to address water quality issues; and (iii) implementing wastewater system
in the Northern province.
Output 2. Institutional capacity strengthened. The project will support NWSDB by (i) improving its
project management capacity; (ii) strengthening managerial and technical capacity of its NRW unit
through the development of a practical setup, including areas of energy saving concepts and GIS based
asset management principles; (iii) transforming institutional capacity on gender and the gendered nature
of water use; and (iv) strengthening the environmental and social safeguards division of NWSDB
Scope of Work
The consultant will support ADB, and the NWSDB as follows (i) support and guide NWSDB to achieve high
project readiness (advanced procurement) as per ADB requirements, (ii) provide technical guidance to
NWSDB in further documentation improvements to already developed projects or conceptualization of
partially completed project documentation and introducing innovation into project design, (iii)
coordinating and monitoring progress, and (iv) support NWSDB identifying capacity building activities
and measurable deliverables that will be performed by the capacity building technical assistance
attached to the project.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
i) The task will include, but not be limited to: Technical review and analysis of proposed five water
supply projects and assist NWSDB for streamlining the process of design and subproject documentation.
ii) Guide NWSDB in preparation of feasibility studies (updating subproject planning & conceptual
documents for prioritized subprojects within the phasing proposal in line with the revised scoping list
where applicable and assist undertaking conceptual engineering designs, costs, and operation and
iii) Introduce innovative approaches and best practices into designs for greater efficiency and
sustainability
iv) Support preparation of the procurement plan for the project considering economy, efficiency,
capacity of government counterparts, and market conditions.
v) Provide advanced procurement support for project readiness.
vi) Recommend necessary reforms for sustainable management of water supply system.
vii) Support NWSDB and ADB identifying capacity building activities and measurable deliverables that
will be performed by the capacity building technical assistance.
viii) Provide other relevant inputs and guidance to NWSDB as agreed with ADB.
ix) Other outputs as required for ADB project processing.
x) Coordination with ongoing NWSDB institutional restructuring programs
Minimum Qualification Requirements
The consultant should preferably be an experienced civil engineer with qualifications and specialization
in water supply infrastructure development with at least 15 years of experience in designing and
implementing urban & peri-urban water supply projects, with a postgraduate degree in civil engineering.
Experience working on donor-funded projects and experience with NWSDB projects is highly preferred. Past
experiences in Sri Lanka, and/or island developing states will be an advantage.
He/She should also have the ability to work productively in a consulting team, with counterparts, and
wider project stakeholders. Knowledge of ADB strategies and operational priorities, policies and
processes are essential.
Minimum General Experience: 15 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 7 Years
