KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) has started looking for sources of water in the Kathmandu Valley and taking measures for their conservation.
KUKL, the water utility body responsible for distribution of drinking water in the Kathmandu Valley, has started paying attention to the conservation of the already existing water sources in the Valley even as preparations for bringing water from the Melamchi River to the Valley are underway.
The Melamchi Water Supply Project which will pump water from the Melamchi River in Sindhupalchowk district and supply that in the Kathmandu Valley, is in the final phase of construction.
The much-awaited Project is believed to supply water to the Valley which is facing an acute shortage of water to meet the growing needs of the rapidly increasing population.
It is said the first phase of the Project will be completed by June and would be able to supply water pumped from the Melamchi River in Kathmandu At the same time KUKL has focused its attention to the conservation of the water sources in the Valley along with the systematic distribution of the water through the Melamchi Water Supply Project.
KUKL has also started taking measures to increase the volume of water supply in the Kathmandu Valley. In this connection, it has started construction of tube wells at 12 locations based on a study carried out in all the three districts of the Valley before this. Chief executive officer Milan Shakya said KUKL has started works for construction of tube wells through a contractor.
He believes that about 15 million liters additional water would be available once the tube wells are constructed. CEO Shakya said besides bringing water from other places to meet the growing demand for water in Kathmandu, KUKL has also given priority to identify new sources within the Kathmandu Valley while at the same time conserving the existing sources.
KUKL is also in the process of preparing a master plan for the conservation of water sources. The master plan includes strategies for exploring new sources and their use along with the sustainable conservation of existing sources.
It incorporates plans for increasing the water supply and sources as well. Potable water is enshrined as the fundamental right of the citizen in the constitution.
A bill related to water supply is currently under discussion at the Development and Technology Committee of the House of Representatives, the lower house of the Federal Parliament. Shakya said the bill addresses many of the issues related to water supply and sanitation.
Comment