One Sunday morning, I casually woke up, poured water from a jar, and set it to boil on the stove, a routine which is very normal for a resident of the Kathmandu Valley like me, especially as a mother of two. Ensuring the water is safe to drink is an essential part of protecting my children’s health.
Later that evening, after returning from work, I stopped by Bhat Bhateni supermarket to buy clothes for myself and my children. I was drawn to a pristine white blouse and envisioned matching it with my kids’ outfits. But I hesitated, sighed deeply, and put it back. Instead, I opted for a black one. I knew that wearing white in Kathmandu’s dusty environment, compounded by the yellowish water from my well, would leave it stained after just one wash.
Upon arriving home, I realized I had forgotten to request water jar delivery from the local shop. With no water at home, I rushed to the store and asked for two jars to be delivered immediately. Exhausted, I headed straight for a shower. Halfway through, the water ran out, leaving me covered in soap. I shouted, “Mum, can you please switch on the pump so the tank can fill?” and my voice was already frustrated as usual. I had to wait another 15 minutes to finish my shower. By then, the water jars had finally arrived.
These personal anecdotes illustrate the daily struggle faced by Kathmandu’s residents. From boiling water to buying jars and tankers, we spend considerable money and effort on water, yet still endure shortages and poor quality. This is not an isolated experience but a shared reality. When an individual’s problem becomes widespread within a community, it transforms into a social problem. Kathmandu’s water crisis fits this definition perfectly. Like a spider’s web, social problems are complex and interconnected. A straightforward solution is unlikely to succeed, as the problem is deeply entrenched and requires a comprehensive approach to address its root causes.
The Scale of Kathmandu’s Water Crisis
Severe water crisis in Chure area calls for urgent action
According to the 2078/79 annual report of Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL), the daily water demand in the Valley is 472 million liters, while the supply averages only 101.24 million liters, sourced from foothill resources. Even with an additional 170 million liters from the Melamchi Water Supply Project during non-monsoon periods, the supply remains insufficient. Groundwater water quality also considered is often unfit for direct consumption. Foothill resources for tap water and additional tanker has been used which are verified by KUKL office include Chhahare, Panchmane, Alley, Boude, Bhandare, Bishnumati, Shivapuri, Old Sundarijal, New Sundarijal, Dudhpokhari, Sim, Pharping SheshNarayan, Pharping Gwaldaha, Pharping Dallu, Nallu, Basukai, Dewaki Stream, Muldol, Sheshnarayan, Satmul, Kuturi (Pharping Side), and Mahadevkhola. Despite these, there are numerous sources available, but still many residents purchase tanker water and jars. Borewell water is also widely used, but it is unsuitable for drinking without treatment.
Although the Melamchi project was seen as a long-term solution, its implementation has faced numerous setbacks. Seasonal monsoon floods disrupt water flow, and the 2021 Melamchi flood severely damaged the infrastructure, causing further delays. Additionally, the current position of the Ambatham dam poses a significant risk for Melamchi headworks, according to the Asian Development Bank (2023) calling for its relocation. Addressing these issues requires the government’s dedicated efforts, as Kathmandu’s thirst will not be quenched without strong intervention.
Exploring Sustainable Solutions
The challenge of sustainable water management necessitates both immediate and long-term strategies. Given that water sources are located in peri-urban and rural areas, enhancing urban-rural linkages is vital. Strengthening connections with existing sources like Melamchi, as well as potential future sources like Yangri, Larke, and Sisneri, could yield significant benefits.
Globally, sustainable water systems often employ models such as Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) and taxation schemes. These approaches incentivize local communities to protect water resources, fostering mutual benefits. The Melamchi Social Upliftment Program (SUP) was envisioned as a mechanism to provide socio/economic benefits to Helambu and Melamchi communities. However, due to government restructuring, SUP is leading through local leaders and the program’s reach has been limited to a select few. Clear agreements on benefit-sharing mechanisms and timelines have not yet materialized, and there is ambiguity surrounding the collection and distribution of levies from Melamchi’s water flow.
Disaster Vulnerability and Climate Change
Nepal’s exposure to disasters caused by Natural hazard (we no longer use natural disasters terminology)further compounds its water crisis. The 2015 earthquake was a stark reminder of the country’s vulnerability, followed by ongoing seismic activity. Landslides, such as the Jure landslide, and floods like the 2021 Melamchi flash flood and the annual flood, disrupt water systems and amplify water scarcity. Moreover, climate change has led to the depletion of water sources, adding to the urgency for disaster-resilient communities. Disaster resilience is particularly crucial for Kathmandu’s water supply system. If local communities and ward-level authorities are empowered to manage and protect water resources, and benefit-sharing programs are implemented, the urban-rural gap can be bridged. These programs could involve direct monetary transfers or infrastructure development, supporting water source protection and disaster resilience simultaneously. Such initiatives would also advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Embracing Open Governance and Technological Innovation for urban-rural coordination
One major impediment to effective water management in Nepal is the lack of open data. Researchers, investors, and policymakers often face challenges in accessing timely and accurate information. This delays planning, decision-making, and investment. Open governance, supported by big data and artificial intelligence (AI), could transform water resource management. Big data has the potential to aggregate vast amounts of information from satellite imagery, social media activity, and on-the-ground monitoring. Open governance would ensure public access to these datasets through authenticated platforms, while AI algorithms could analyze the data to predict trends, optimize resource allocation, and design adaptive benefit-sharing programs between urban, peri urban and rural. Such a system, with disaster resilience at its core, could enable timely policy adjustments to meet dynamic community needs.
The Way Forward
Kathmandu’s water scarcity is more than a resource problem, in the country which has more than 6000 rivers. It is a socio-environmental challenge linked to disaster risk, urban-rural connections, and governance gaps. Tackling this crisis requires a collaborative approach involving local communities, government agencies, and international stakeholders.Establishing robust urban-rural partnerships, leveraging technology for data-driven decision-making, and prioritizing disaster resilience can pave the way for a more sustainable water future. With decisive action, water can transform from a scarce resource to an engine of development, fostering resilience and well-being for Kathmandu’s residents.
