The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said water supplies to several areas in the Colombo and Gampaha districts were temporarily suspended after a chemical substance was reportedly released into the environment by a private factory.
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) had also alerted the NWSDB about the suspected chemical discharge.
NWSDB Chairman Chandana Bandara said the water supply was suspended as an immediate precaution until authorities could determine whether the substance had contaminated water sources.
Accordingly, operations at the Ambatale and Biyagama water treatment plants were immediately halted to ensure public safety.
The NWSDB launched an urgent investigation with the assistance of its chemists, while the DMC and security forces commenced a broader investigation into the incident.
Bandara said the NWSDB had also lodged a complaint with the Police and notified the relevant authorities to initiate legal action.
He added that operations had since returned to normal.
