Brandix & HSBC build water supply schemes for two villages in Pooneryn
View(s):More than 800 families in two villages on the outskirts of Pooneryn, a township on the northern coast below the Jaffna peninsula, have been provided with life-sustaining year-round water supply through an initiative by Brandix and HSBC.
The first of the two-phase initiative consisted of building two solar-powered water supply systems for the villages of Pallikudah and Neplow, situated five and three kilometres respectively from Pooneryn, an area that suffers from severe shortages of drinking water for several months of the year, according to a Brandix statement.
One of the water points in Neplow village (left) and the overhead tank that serves Pallikudah
The two water supply schemes built under this community project comprising two overhead tanks of 5000 litres each, one feeding three storage tanks of 2000 litres with taps at strategic points in Pallikudah and, the other supplying two similar sized storage tanks in Neplow, are powered by solar energy to minimise the maintenance costs in consideration of the economic situation of the communities they serve.
Construction of the two water supply schemes was undertaken by the Sri Lanka Army’s 661 Brigade with funds provided by Brandix and HSBC.
“Brandix and HSBC share a common interest in helping communities affected by inadequate water supply,” said Anusha Alles, the Brandix Group’s Head of CSR. “This makes it easy for the two companies to work together to bring tangible and sustainable benefits to such communities.”
Dilini Fernando, Manager Corporate Sustainability at HSBC added: “HSBC is pleased to have partnered with Brandix in this initiative that aligns well within our global water programme. In the post-war era, residents in the Neplow and Pallikudah areas were affected with the shortage of drinking water which was one of the most critical problems faced by the community in the village. Following the implementation of the water programme, many residents have benefitted with access to drinking water. As we continue in our efforts, HSBC will look to work with other communities around the country by supporting similar projects in future.”