BAGLUNG: A “One House, One Tap” initiative has been successfully implemented in Hukurthum, located in Badigad Rural Municipality-2, Baglung, providing access to safe drinking water for 43 households.
The project was made possible through a joint investment from Badigad Rural Municipality, the Nepal Health Water (NEWA) Organization, and the voluntary labor contribution of local residents. Taps were installed in each household, significantly improving access to clean water in the village.
According to Kesh Bahadur Kumal, Chairperson of the Gahate-Hukurthum Drinking Water, Hygiene, and Sanitation Project, the total project cost amounted to Rs. 2.641 million. Of this, Rs. 1.565 million was provided by NEWA, Rs. 472,000 by the rural municipality, and Rs. 604,000 was contributed through community labor.
Previously, villagers relied on just five public taps, leading to long waits and limited access to water for daily needs. “The entire village struggled with water shortages,” Kumal said. “Now that each household has its own tap, daily life has become much easier. We no longer have to wait for hours just to fill a jug of water.”
He further explained that the improvement has also made livestock care and household chores more manageable. “With water now available in our courtyards, it’s easier to clean, cook, and even grow vegetables in our gardens,” he added.
Binod Koirala, Program Officer at NEWA, reported that 45 taps have been installed, both for individual households and public use. He stated that the water is supplied via a pipeline from the Marubaijhyal spring, located two kilometers away from the village.
The project was initiated in response to the long-standing water scarcity in Hukurthum, following repeated community appeals for a sustainable solution.
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