ICEH Papers

URBAN ECOSYSTEMS AND HEALTH IN KATHMANDU:
COMMUNITY-BASED BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF DRINKING WATER SOURCES


Joshi, Dr. Durga Datt and Mahendra Maharjan “Urban Ecosystems And Health In Kathmandu: Community-Based Biological Assessment of Drinking Water Sources” in Martin J. Bunch, V. Madha Suresh and T. Vasantha Kumaran, eds., Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Environment and Health, Chennai, India, 15-17 December, 2003. Chennai: Department of Geography, University of Madras and Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University. Pages 186 – 195.


Abstract:

Rapid urbanization and population growth in Kathmandu impedes the Nepal Drinking Water Supply Corporation to provide an adequate supply of safe water to the city. Supply to households is intermittent during the dry season. In wards 19 and 20, only half of the households have a direct connection. Because of this limited and insecure water availability, a large portion of the population depends on unprotected and hygienically unsafe water sources for domestic and commercial use (including ward hotels, restaurants, butcheries and slaughtering houses). Community residents and the research team on urban ecosystem health considered improving the quality of drinking water essential to sustainable community health. In 2001-02, an inventory and testing of water sources in the wards was carried out with funding from IDRC, Ford Foundation and Winrock International. Policy makers of the city and health authorities were sensitized, simple water testing technologies were transferred to the wards’ health clinics, and water quality monitors from the respective wards were trained. Over 150 different water sources were monitored, including traditional community taps (stone taps), household connections, shallow wells, deep wells, and household water storage tanks, using a low-cost bacterial test (H2S) prepared locally. Ten percent of sample replicates were also tested for Total Coliforms and E.coli as quality control. High bacterial contamination was detected during spring and monsoon periods in most water sources (over 90% of Stone taps and wells). The stone tap water is less contaminated than tubewell water i.e. P>0.05. While there is no significance difference between NWSC supplied direct tap water and NWSC supplied stored water i.e. P<0.05. The water in the distribution system was slightly better, with 70% of household taps in ward 19 and 30% of taps in ward 20 exceeding national drinking water and WHO standards i.e. E.coli count is <3/100ml of water. A water treatment strategy was initiated, including the promotion of safe storage and handling practices, and chlorination. Several stone taps were rehabilitated with funding from the city government. The program effectiveness and sustainability will be evaluated in the coming project phase.

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