Citing increasing population and dwindling water sources, the Brihad Jhupra Drinking Water Users" Organization (BJDWUO) has introduced a "flow-shedding" schedule with effect from Saturday. BJDWUO said that the flow-shedding is the consequence of flawed planning.[break]
Surkhet folks are wary what the situation will be like if the dry spell prior to the monsoon lasts longer than expected.
“The flow-shedding is the result of imbalance in planning at the time of inception of the drinking water project,” BJDWUO Chairman Kul Mani Devkota said, adding, “The problem will get worse every year until an alternative water source is sought out.”
At a press meet called to announce the flow-shedding, Devkota asked locals to suggest solutions for the water woe caused by a swelling population and climate change.
Jhupra Extensive Water and Sanitation project, which came into operation in 2000, aimed to cater dirking water to a projected 100,000 plus population of Surkhet Valley by 2020. However, due to rapid increase in the population, which has swelled to 150,000 already, the drinking water project has fallen short of providing adequate water.
“The actual population of this valley is higher than stated. How can such a small water source provide water to all the people,” questioned Devkota. As per the project design, the water-supply flow is 100 liters per second, and is expected to deceased to 30 liters per second at the height of the dry season.
Dipak Sharma, administrative chief of the project, informed that the project provided water once in two days during last year"s dry season.
Search for new source
As the previous drinking water project proved to be myopic, BJDWUO is starting to search for a new source. Chairman Devkota further informed that under the auspices of the Asian Development Bank they have started with the appointment of a consultant to prepare a detailed project report for finding a new water source.
According to Devkota, they have been planning to bring water from the Khari and Bori Rivers situated northeast from the valley.
Jhupra Extensive Water and Sanitation project is said to be the largest community-run drinking water project in South Asia. The project was completed with an investment of 360 million rupees over a decade ago.
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