Abstract
United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 targets access to water and sanitation for all people in the next 15 years. However, for developing countries such as Nepal, it is more challenging to achieve this goal given its poor infrastructure and high population growth. To assess the water crisis in the most developed and populated area of Nepal, the Kathmandu Valley, we estimated available water resources and domestic water demand in the valley. We estimated a supply deficit of 102 million liters per day (MLD) in 2016, after completion of the first phase of the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP). If the MWSP is completed within the specified timeframe, and sufficient treatment and distribution infrastructure is developed, then there would be no water deficit by 2023–2025. This indicates that the MWSP will make a significant contribution to the valley’s water security. However, emphasis must be given to utilizing all of the water available from the MWSP by developing sufficient water treatment and distribution infrastructure. Alternate mitigation options, such as planning land use for potential recharge, introducing micro- to macro-level rainwater harvesting structures, conjunctive use of surface and groundwater resources, and water demand-side management, would also be helpful.
Highlights
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [1], which aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all, are scheduled to be achieved over the 15 years
We present concise insights into the current and future status of domestic water demand in the valley, present concise insights into the current and future status of domestic water demand in the valley, and the effect of the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP) on the existing supply deficit, thereby and the effect of the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP) on the existing supply deficit, thereby highlighting the seriousness of the valley’s water crisis
The increase in population is in turn expected to increase pressure on the existing water supply infrastructure of the Kathmandu Valley
Summary
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [1], which aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all, are scheduled to be achieved over the 15 years. Rapid andvalley largely urban and population growth, a lack sustainable water a lack of dramatic sustainable water land use changes, socioeconomic and a sources, land use sources, changes,dramatic socioeconomic transformation, and a poortransformation, management system poor management system have resulted in low availability of potable water in the valley. Water demand varies with the socioeconomic status of households, the setting (rural or urban), and existing infrastructure, etc., but socioeconomic status of households, the setting (rural or urban), and existing infrastructure, etc., but in most cases, relevant data is not available to local administrative divisions in developing countries in most cases, relevant data is not available to local administrative divisions in developing countries (including wards and villages in the Kathmandu Valley). Potential methods to mitigate the water crisis in the immediate future are discussed
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