The remaining 97% is unpotable and is largely uneconomical to treat for drinking. It is estimated that 2% of Earth’s water resource is in the form of permanent ice cover in glaciers and high Himalayas that accounts 69% of the fresh water supply. The remaining 1% is in the form of lake, impoundment and the groundwater. The freshwater is defined as the water containing dissolved salts at a concentration of 1000 mg/L or less. Fresh water is easy to treat and is the most economical source of water supply. Therefore, this resource must be conserved for current and future use of mankind.
The foremost and essential component of human life is water. Water may contain chemical and biological substances which at elevated levels are harmful to human health. Safe water is vital for all life forms. Safe water has been almost unattainable for majority of population in Nepal, despite the fact that all available water in the country is in the form of fresh water and has huge potential for multiple uses, such as hydropower generation, irrigation and consumptive use. Fortunately, we have many springs and rivers in rural Nepal which have originated from Himalayas and are relatively less polluted. One of the main causes of contamination of water source in Nepal is surface runoff and flash floods in summer months due to fecal originated contaminants such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. Every year approximately 30,000 deaths are responsible for water-borne epidemics alone in Nepal 1. Many Nepali women in the rural Nepal spend hours in hauling water from distance for drinking and domestic uses. This article is an authors’ attempt to discuss water crisis in the Katmandu valley in the context of World Water Day celebration.
Water concern in Kathmandu valley has been severe for long time in terms of its availability in quantity and quality. Kathmandu valley inhabits almost 10% of Nepal’s population. The valley which covers Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur Districts occupies, 899 km2 of area is only 0.5% of the country’s land area. With the current growth rate and do-nothing scenario, the population of Kathmandu Valley has been projected as 3.5 million, 5.8 million and 7.2 million by 2015, 2025 and 2030, respectively 2. The land-use pattern of the Kathmandu valley has changed drastically over the recent decades. In one recent study the urban/built up area has been reported to increase from 11% in 1976 to 51.5% in 2009 in Kathmandu metropolis. Similarly, the open area has diminished from 15.3% to 0.3%, and the area of water bodies decreased from 1% to 0.4%. The pattern of these changes has led to reduced water sources. A concrete example of the impact that has been reflected is complete or partial extinction of water from the traditional stone spouts and pools that existed in the valley for years. This means that groundwater has been exploited extremely and it is no longer a viable supply source for the valley. There is very low input from the available surface water sources inside the valley. The Kathmandu Valley is increasingly turning into a Kakakul City 3. Every year a long-que is seen in the streets for water in the standpipe, Dunghe Dhara (Stone Spout) and public taps. The socio-economic cost of time spent for fetching water and health implications due to the unsafe water consumption are beyond our imagination.
Historically, a modern piped water supply system for the Kathmandu valley was introduced in 1891 in the form of Bir Dhara Works. The water demand in those times was met through springs, rivers and shallow dug wells. Dhunge Dharas (Stone Spouts) commonly served water needs of the people in the valley. To meet the increasing demand of water supply another system called Tri Bhim Dhara was established in 1928. Nepal Water Supply Corporation (NWSC) and the Kathmandu Water Management Board were established later in the post-Rana era with the aim to manage water supply in different parts of the country and inside the Kathmandu valley. NWSC has not been able to cope up with the demand for water supply in the valley for several decades now. Assuming current population of the Kathmandu valley of approximately two million and a daily demand rate of 150 litres per capita per day, the total demand is 300 million litres per day (MLD). It has been learned that NWSC can supply only 150 MLD of water in wet weather and 100 MLD in dry weather. It has also been reported that 40% of the water supplied is lost because of the leakage in the distribution system. So the effective water that is reaching the consumers is estimated to be only 90 MLD in wet season and 60 MLD in the dry season. Therefore, the water deficits in the Kathmandu Valley in the wet and dry seasons are close to 210 MLD and 240 MLD, respectively. The people of Kathmandu valley wander around for water in all seasons. The deep groundwater has been exploited as well. This will not last long either. It is learned that there are approximately 6,000 private water supply companies currently operating in the valley selling 25 MLD. Their supply source is either the groundwater or the spring source, which cannot close the huge gap now prevailing between the demand and supply.
Since we have a situation of our majority of groundwater already depleted, the only resource to rely on is surface water that is no longer available inside the valley to meet the growing demand. One of the best alternatives recognized has been diverting Melamchi River to the Kathmandu Valley. The project is still in the pipeline, despite its much hype for nearly two decades now. This author was involved in the feasibility study of Melamchi Diversion Scheme in 1996 to increase water quantity supplying to the Kathmandu Valley under a project funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Water deficit in meeting the daily demand for domestic use in the valley was already pressing in 1996 and even before. This study also recommended generation of 20 MW electricity at Sundarijal to subsidize the cost of water to the consumers. By 2004, water would have been transmitted via a 28 km tunnel from Melamchi River Intake to the Kathmandu valley if that ambitious plan was implemented in time. Water from Yangri and Larke Rivers would have to be diverted to Melamchi Intake to meet the demand in the Kathmandu valley subsequently. If the author’s estimate is correct, Yangri would be needed to meet the ever increasing demand by 2015. Today, we are already in 2011, and we are not even certain when Melamchi water would reach Kathmandu’s distribution system.
Melamchi Water Supply Project has passed through many obstacles due to various reasons. Lack of clear policy, lack of political will, political instability, insurgency and insecurity might have contributed in delays and execution of the much needed project. The project was priced originally at 464 million US Dollars. The revised cost after the major donors pulled out from the project was 317.3 million US Dollars. The project is expected to complete by 2013. Melamchi will add 170 MLD to the NWSC’s system, still there will be water deficit. This means that the supply of water will still be intermittent. There is high possibility of contamination of treated water in the distribution system as usual.
The World Water Day is being celebrated in Nepal with various programs every year. It is leant that the Government of Nepal in collaboration with various organizations that are celebrating Water week from March 17 to 23, 2011 with various programs. The Small Earth Nepal (SEN) and Center for Research for Environment Energy and Water (CREEW) have organized a conference and talk program entitled, “Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Management of Groundwater Resources of the Kathmandu Valley”. This topic sounds very relevant especially for the residents of Kathmandu Valley where the vital resource (groundwater) handed down from their ancient cultural heritage is being extinguished rapidly.
As Nepal is celebrating this important event, the suggestion from experts should be taken seriously and reflected in the program and practice in the implementation phase. Experts opine that one of the reasons of diminishing of groundwater resources in the Kathmandu Valley is rapid urbanization and uncontrolled extraction of groundwater. The Government of Nepal and Municipalities inside the valley should in fact revise their policies and programs that would lead to conserving the resources and cultural heritage. The government and municipalities should also take stern action for those violating the conservation rules and regulations. The other green option would be government buying public land and maintaining them as public parks.
Kathmandu’s water distribution system is already aged and is complex. Even when the water from Melamchi River is diverted, there will be water shortage in the valley right from the beginning. In author’s recent visit to Nepal, he felt that Nepali people have done exceptional job in many sector with very little help from the government. In the context of managing the freshwater resources, the Government of Nepal should formulate a long term and short term strategy. As an example, diminishing freshwater resources is directly linked to the rapid deforestation, unplanned settlement and lack of alternative energy source. The Kathmandu residents need water and they should make all efforts to achieve the goal of meeting their water demand. In order to make a sustainable water supply for the residents of the valley, the water provider NWSC and the government of Nepal should plan properly for the project in view of the ever increasing water demand. The author is not an expert of any economic side of water policy; however government should be able to convince and attract the local business community and commoners to invest in this sector in a public-private partnership (PPP). There is a possibility of making a national water business plan in Nepal because of the country’s rich fresh water reserve. The author is very positive that there are enough resources within the country to achieve the main goal. There seems a lack of confidence among the business community to invest in this sector. The Government of Nepal should create an environment of trust conducive to the investors such that PPP becomes a viable option for sustainable development of this sector. At the same time, the government and the water provider should be able to make this sector cost-effective leading to affordable water charges to the consumers. The tariffs from water charges should be invested back to the same sector for capital recovery and operational sustainability of the facilities. There needs a good will and determination from all quarters (government, non-government sector and the public) while enforcing programs and policies in good governance. Nepal can learn from success stories of many other countries on planning and operation of this sector.
Let us hope that Melamchi would be in Kathmandu’s distribution system no later than in the next five years. Kathmandu residents should be prepared for Yangri and Larke Diversion because these are the only two projects identified which are technically and economically feasible to contribute to Kathmandu’s water supply. These two projects could add 170 MLD each to the Kathmandu’s distribution system. There is a slim chance for Yangri to come to reality in the next 5-10 years. However, this project can be planned for completion latest by 2025. With the current population projection and if Yangri is completed by 2025, NWSC can supply approximately 430 ML of water each day. Each resident of Kathmandu Valley will get approximately 74 litres of water if all projects work as predicted. A major rehabilitation would be needed to the Kathmandu’s main trunk and distribution system as well. Furthermore, If Larke project is in place NWSC would have a total of approximately 600 MLD for supply. NWSC would need to supply approximately 1000 MLD of water by 2030 at a water demand rate of 150 litres per capita per day for a population of 7.2 million. Kathmandu residents need to understand these facts of life and be prepared to plan accordingly. People can do anything if they desire.
On this very occasion of world water day, the author make a wish for the best of Kathmandu Valley residents, proposing a resolution from all quarters for the very cause of water for people.
-------------------------------------------------
source : http://febrisaputra.org/%E2%80%9Cworld-water-day%E2%80%9D-water-for-the-people-of-kathmandu-valley.html
The foremost and essential component of human life is water. Water may contain chemical and biological substances which at elevated levels are harmful to human health. Safe water is vital for all life forms. Safe water has been almost unattainable for majority of population in Nepal, despite the fact that all available water in the country is in the form of fresh water and has huge potential for multiple uses, such as hydropower generation, irrigation and consumptive use. Fortunately, we have many springs and rivers in rural Nepal which have originated from Himalayas and are relatively less polluted. One of the main causes of contamination of water source in Nepal is surface runoff and flash floods in summer months due to fecal originated contaminants such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. Every year approximately 30,000 deaths are responsible for water-borne epidemics alone in Nepal 1. Many Nepali women in the rural Nepal spend hours in hauling water from distance for drinking and domestic uses. This article is an authors’ attempt to discuss water crisis in the Katmandu valley in the context of World Water Day celebration.
Water concern in Kathmandu valley has been severe for long time in terms of its availability in quantity and quality. Kathmandu valley inhabits almost 10% of Nepal’s population. The valley which covers Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur Districts occupies, 899 km2 of area is only 0.5% of the country’s land area. With the current growth rate and do-nothing scenario, the population of Kathmandu Valley has been projected as 3.5 million, 5.8 million and 7.2 million by 2015, 2025 and 2030, respectively 2. The land-use pattern of the Kathmandu valley has changed drastically over the recent decades. In one recent study the urban/built up area has been reported to increase from 11% in 1976 to 51.5% in 2009 in Kathmandu metropolis. Similarly, the open area has diminished from 15.3% to 0.3%, and the area of water bodies decreased from 1% to 0.4%. The pattern of these changes has led to reduced water sources. A concrete example of the impact that has been reflected is complete or partial extinction of water from the traditional stone spouts and pools that existed in the valley for years. This means that groundwater has been exploited extremely and it is no longer a viable supply source for the valley. There is very low input from the available surface water sources inside the valley. The Kathmandu Valley is increasingly turning into a Kakakul City 3. Every year a long-que is seen in the streets for water in the standpipe, Dunghe Dhara (Stone Spout) and public taps. The socio-economic cost of time spent for fetching water and health implications due to the unsafe water consumption are beyond our imagination.
Historically, a modern piped water supply system for the Kathmandu valley was introduced in 1891 in the form of Bir Dhara Works. The water demand in those times was met through springs, rivers and shallow dug wells. Dhunge Dharas (Stone Spouts) commonly served water needs of the people in the valley. To meet the increasing demand of water supply another system called Tri Bhim Dhara was established in 1928. Nepal Water Supply Corporation (NWSC) and the Kathmandu Water Management Board were established later in the post-Rana era with the aim to manage water supply in different parts of the country and inside the Kathmandu valley. NWSC has not been able to cope up with the demand for water supply in the valley for several decades now. Assuming current population of the Kathmandu valley of approximately two million and a daily demand rate of 150 litres per capita per day, the total demand is 300 million litres per day (MLD). It has been learned that NWSC can supply only 150 MLD of water in wet weather and 100 MLD in dry weather. It has also been reported that 40% of the water supplied is lost because of the leakage in the distribution system. So the effective water that is reaching the consumers is estimated to be only 90 MLD in wet season and 60 MLD in the dry season. Therefore, the water deficits in the Kathmandu Valley in the wet and dry seasons are close to 210 MLD and 240 MLD, respectively. The people of Kathmandu valley wander around for water in all seasons. The deep groundwater has been exploited as well. This will not last long either. It is learned that there are approximately 6,000 private water supply companies currently operating in the valley selling 25 MLD. Their supply source is either the groundwater or the spring source, which cannot close the huge gap now prevailing between the demand and supply.
Since we have a situation of our majority of groundwater already depleted, the only resource to rely on is surface water that is no longer available inside the valley to meet the growing demand. One of the best alternatives recognized has been diverting Melamchi River to the Kathmandu Valley. The project is still in the pipeline, despite its much hype for nearly two decades now. This author was involved in the feasibility study of Melamchi Diversion Scheme in 1996 to increase water quantity supplying to the Kathmandu Valley under a project funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Water deficit in meeting the daily demand for domestic use in the valley was already pressing in 1996 and even before. This study also recommended generation of 20 MW electricity at Sundarijal to subsidize the cost of water to the consumers. By 2004, water would have been transmitted via a 28 km tunnel from Melamchi River Intake to the Kathmandu valley if that ambitious plan was implemented in time. Water from Yangri and Larke Rivers would have to be diverted to Melamchi Intake to meet the demand in the Kathmandu valley subsequently. If the author’s estimate is correct, Yangri would be needed to meet the ever increasing demand by 2015. Today, we are already in 2011, and we are not even certain when Melamchi water would reach Kathmandu’s distribution system.
Melamchi Water Supply Project has passed through many obstacles due to various reasons. Lack of clear policy, lack of political will, political instability, insurgency and insecurity might have contributed in delays and execution of the much needed project. The project was priced originally at 464 million US Dollars. The revised cost after the major donors pulled out from the project was 317.3 million US Dollars. The project is expected to complete by 2013. Melamchi will add 170 MLD to the NWSC’s system, still there will be water deficit. This means that the supply of water will still be intermittent. There is high possibility of contamination of treated water in the distribution system as usual.
The World Water Day is being celebrated in Nepal with various programs every year. It is leant that the Government of Nepal in collaboration with various organizations that are celebrating Water week from March 17 to 23, 2011 with various programs. The Small Earth Nepal (SEN) and Center for Research for Environment Energy and Water (CREEW) have organized a conference and talk program entitled, “Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Management of Groundwater Resources of the Kathmandu Valley”. This topic sounds very relevant especially for the residents of Kathmandu Valley where the vital resource (groundwater) handed down from their ancient cultural heritage is being extinguished rapidly.
As Nepal is celebrating this important event, the suggestion from experts should be taken seriously and reflected in the program and practice in the implementation phase. Experts opine that one of the reasons of diminishing of groundwater resources in the Kathmandu Valley is rapid urbanization and uncontrolled extraction of groundwater. The Government of Nepal and Municipalities inside the valley should in fact revise their policies and programs that would lead to conserving the resources and cultural heritage. The government and municipalities should also take stern action for those violating the conservation rules and regulations. The other green option would be government buying public land and maintaining them as public parks.
Kathmandu’s water distribution system is already aged and is complex. Even when the water from Melamchi River is diverted, there will be water shortage in the valley right from the beginning. In author’s recent visit to Nepal, he felt that Nepali people have done exceptional job in many sector with very little help from the government. In the context of managing the freshwater resources, the Government of Nepal should formulate a long term and short term strategy. As an example, diminishing freshwater resources is directly linked to the rapid deforestation, unplanned settlement and lack of alternative energy source. The Kathmandu residents need water and they should make all efforts to achieve the goal of meeting their water demand. In order to make a sustainable water supply for the residents of the valley, the water provider NWSC and the government of Nepal should plan properly for the project in view of the ever increasing water demand. The author is not an expert of any economic side of water policy; however government should be able to convince and attract the local business community and commoners to invest in this sector in a public-private partnership (PPP). There is a possibility of making a national water business plan in Nepal because of the country’s rich fresh water reserve. The author is very positive that there are enough resources within the country to achieve the main goal. There seems a lack of confidence among the business community to invest in this sector. The Government of Nepal should create an environment of trust conducive to the investors such that PPP becomes a viable option for sustainable development of this sector. At the same time, the government and the water provider should be able to make this sector cost-effective leading to affordable water charges to the consumers. The tariffs from water charges should be invested back to the same sector for capital recovery and operational sustainability of the facilities. There needs a good will and determination from all quarters (government, non-government sector and the public) while enforcing programs and policies in good governance. Nepal can learn from success stories of many other countries on planning and operation of this sector.
Let us hope that Melamchi would be in Kathmandu’s distribution system no later than in the next five years. Kathmandu residents should be prepared for Yangri and Larke Diversion because these are the only two projects identified which are technically and economically feasible to contribute to Kathmandu’s water supply. These two projects could add 170 MLD each to the Kathmandu’s distribution system. There is a slim chance for Yangri to come to reality in the next 5-10 years. However, this project can be planned for completion latest by 2025. With the current population projection and if Yangri is completed by 2025, NWSC can supply approximately 430 ML of water each day. Each resident of Kathmandu Valley will get approximately 74 litres of water if all projects work as predicted. A major rehabilitation would be needed to the Kathmandu’s main trunk and distribution system as well. Furthermore, If Larke project is in place NWSC would have a total of approximately 600 MLD for supply. NWSC would need to supply approximately 1000 MLD of water by 2030 at a water demand rate of 150 litres per capita per day for a population of 7.2 million. Kathmandu residents need to understand these facts of life and be prepared to plan accordingly. People can do anything if they desire.
On this very occasion of world water day, the author make a wish for the best of Kathmandu Valley residents, proposing a resolution from all quarters for the very cause of water for people.
-------------------------------------------------
source : http://febrisaputra.org/%E2%80%9Cworld-water-day%E2%80%9D-water-for-the-people-of-kathmandu-valley.html
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar