The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS&DB) undergoes a loss of nearly Rs. 9 billion in providing drinking water, Water Supply Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said. The Minister was addressing a meeting after vesting with people several water supply schemes at Rotawala in Ambalantota. He said even undergoing a loss, it was the duty of the NWS&DB to supply drinking water to the people. Most diseases are contacted by people as a result of consuming of unclear water, he said. The prices of chemicals used in the purifying of water have shot up. The electricity dues are higher than ever, he said. The loss incurred by the NWSDB is covered ever for a small extent by providing water to star hotels at higher rates. A unit of water is supplied to ships at Rs. 250.