During the last few decades, with the rise in population in urban areas, many health and sanitation problems have arisen due to the overflow of lavatories in low-income neighbourhoods where a large number of householders live in small crowded areas. In recognition of this problem and in an attempt to bring some redress, the Milinda Moragoda Institute for People’s Empowerment (MMIPE) office operates a gully sucker which provides free on-call service primarily to low-income residents in the Colombo South area. This service which has been available since August 2003, has helped minimize health hazards and the inconvenience of overflowing septic tanks. This programme effectively complements the Colombo Municipal Council’s waste disposal programme.