Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Practice: A Case of Lahan Municipality, Madhesh Province, Nepal

Abstract

The study aims to assess the water, sanitation and hygiene practices in Lahan Municipality, Siraha district, The focus group discussion, participatory learning and action, key informant interview, direct observation etc., methods was used during the study. Alluvial aquifers are the source of water supply in the Terai region.
 Result shows that around 16% of households have access to piped drinking water that is extracted from the deep boreholes. The rest of the population has access to shallow boreholes and dug wells. The poor families have installed shallow boreholes less than 15 meters deep. Out of 10 wards in Lahan municipality, ward no. 4 is lagging far behind in terms of water, sanitation, hygiene and socio-economic status. Lahan Municipality has been affected mostly due to flood in monsoon season. Lack of safe toilet ranked first among the list of major problems. Similarly, less awareness on water, sanitation and hygiene and poor embankment ranked second and third respectively identified as major problems in Lahan Municipality. Around 77% of fecal sludge is unsafely managed in the areas. The gender inequality, poverty, caste-based discrimination also found the social problem in the society.