Young Water Professionals (YWP) is a network of people passionate about all aspects of water and its intrinsic linkages to people, economies, development, nature, dignity, and life itself. It is focused on ringing people working or interested in the water sector together in a meaningful way to build water networks, grow knowledge, and sharpen skills. The YWP program aims to contribute to the present and future needs of the water sector in Northern SL, an aim which requires the continuous development of a workforce which adequate in size, capable in skills, and strong in leadership.
YWP network has been established in the North since 2018 by accommodating diverse water sector professionals from the Irrigation department, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Water Resource Board, Agriculture and Agrarian departments, activists, and academics from various sectors. Later, YWP as a researcher-Community collaboration has been developed under the Water Security in Northern Province (WASPAR) project. From February 2021 to November 2023, more than 50 fortnightly sessions have been held primarily in a virtual format, and project areas have been identified for joint research actions. Rural ponds rejuvenations at Thellipalai, wastewater treatment research project at Vavuniya College of Education, tube wells regulation studies in NP, and soil sealing policy brief development are a few activities currently undertaken by YWPs along with Northern Water Forum members.
YWP in North is at the forefront of implementing sustainable solutions/ actions for the existing water issues in the Northern province.
I’m serving as the focal point of YWP Northern chapter and currently connecting YWPs in the following actions:
Implementing Sustainable Water Solutions:
Ponds located especially in Jaffna play a vital role in providing water for various purposes, including agriculture, livestock, and other socio-cultural activities as well as recharging the groundwater. However, over the years, many of these ponds have fallen into disrepair due to neglect, pollution, and inadequate management. YWP explores the importance of rural pond rejuvenation in Jaffna, taking into account various aspects such as ecological restoration, community engagement, economic benefits, and long-term sustainability. ‘Periyathampiran kovil pond’ located at Thellipalai was selected for the pilot work with the support of area youth volunteers. Work process diagram shows the activities undertaken in the pond.
Capacity Building:
Young water professionals play an essential role in capacity building initiatives along with Northern Water Forum, where they provide training, technical expertise, and support to local institutions, farmers, youths and other relevant stakeholders. By transferring knowledge and skills, they empower communities to take an active role in managing their water resources effectively.
Advocacy and Policy Development:
Young water professionals along with Northern Water Forum act as advocates for sustainable water management and contribute to policy development processes in Northern Sri Lanka. Unauthorized tube wells construction and improper infrastructure developments lead to sealing the soil with concrete and other sealing materials preventing the water percolation to the aquifer which severely affects the water sources at Northern SL. YWP take these into action, develop the policy briefs with relevant authorities and department, and works on the process to implement it under the local authorities like Municipal councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas, and Urban Development Authority to make the change in their building approval regulations.
Collaboration and Networking:
Collaboration and networking with different water agencies and actors are important to address the complex water challenges. Recently YWP is working with Vavuniya College of Education, an educational institution to treat wastewater in a sustainable way. Nature-based wastewater treatment methods were suggested after a comprehensive study and analysis in the field. In this particular case, different faculties in the university, NWSDB, the Urban council of Vavunia, Irrigation Department, Vavunia worked together to achieve the best option for wastewater treatment.
Dissemination:
YWPs organize field excursions from time to time to the water hotspots located in Northern SL in order to network with the relevant communities, address the water issues and explore the ongoing practices in water management schemes. During these trips, YWPs emphasize the critical nature exists in water security in the North to the particular communities and engage the activists and other professionals in that community to the upcoming actions.
