For urban areas, an individual´s water need per day is 100 liters, something acknowledged as necessary and set as target by the country´s Urban Water and Sanitation Policy as well. [break]
The Kathmandu Upatyeka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) projects that in March-April -- the driest period in terms of water generation -- there will be just 80.72 million liters daily (mld) available in the valley, after deducting 20 percent loss.
This includes 75.72 mld of water available from existing surface sources and ground sources, as well as some 5 mld that five new deep tube wells are expected to inject into the system.
On the other hand, water demand currently stands at 340 mld, estimating total population of the valley to be 3.4 million. The demand is up from last year´s estimated 320 mld.
The demand far outstrips supply even in the wet season when actual water volume that reaches the people stands at 105.15 mld, after deducting loss.
“With five new deep tube wells and 15 additional ones that are under construction, we were hoping that water scarcity does not worsen from what it was the last dry season,” said Tilak Mohan Bhandari, manager of KUKL.
“But it is almost certain that in addition to old sources, only the five already-constructed tube well will service consumers this dry season,” he added.
The five new deep tube wells have been installed at Manamaiju, Dovan, Mahankal, Bode, and Gongabu, according to Awadh Kishore Mishra, director of Project Implementation Directorate, a wing under Melamchi project that helps KUKL strengthen temporary water supply arrangements before Melamchi starts pumping water into the valley´s arteries, which isn´t expected before 2015/16.
The dipping availability of water will hit hardest localities such as Kalanki, Bafal, Tahachal, Sohrakhutte, Chaunni, Swayambhu, Dallu, Bijayaswari, and Paknajol, among others. Theses localities are already being supplied water for just one-and-a-half hours every eighth day, according to Bhandari.
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