This community based climate change adaptation project was implemented in Barudelpola village and the lagoon area of Mahawewa Divisional Secretariat area of Puttalam District. The project was started in November 2011 and was completed in December, 2012. The main objective of the project was to identify the negative impacts of climate change effects in the project area with special focus on the water supply and livelihood aspects of the communities. After identification of the negative impacts, it has conducted a number of community consultation meetings to identify specific problems and formulate Action Plans to remedy those problems.

SEVANATHA in association with the Pradesiya Sabha (Divisional Council), Divisional Secretariat Office and the CBO leaders of the project community have implemented the project successfully. The relevant government institutions, Provincial Council and Divisional Council have provided their support and contribution for successful implementation of this project.

Lack of safe drinking water for the communities was one of the critical issues identified by the community leaders. The project has provided pipe born water for identified community groups in the project area as one of the main intervention of this project. The management responsibilities of the newly constructed water supply scheme were taken over by the CBO of Barudalpola village for which SEVANATHA has provided required training.

Rain Water Harvesting method and household level Biogas generation technology were also introduced under this project. (Two Rain water Harvesting Tanks and Two Biogas units completed as a pilot intervention).

A number of income generating activities were introduced including household level paltry farming, fish drying and home garden activities etc. Some of the positive impacts of this project are listed below.

Positive Impacts

• Establish a strong partnership between and among the Local Authority, Community Based Organizations and Water Supply and Drainage Board to ensure close working relationship to accomplish the project.
• Mobilizing of co-financing of around 300% of the grant amount to complete the water supply project.
• Water supply scheme completed with providing safe drinking water to over 400 families who didn’t have safe drinking water.
• Rain water harvesting method was demonstrated by installing two rain water harvesting tanks for identified two families.
• Raised community awareness on House hold level solid waste management and installed two Biogas units for producing Biogas using Household waste 
• Raised community awareness on protection of mangroves and other vegetation along the coastal belt to prevent sea erosion
• Appropriate Livelihood support such as fish drying and poultry raising was  introduced for selected families.