Technical Cooperation Project for Systematizing Water Service and Distribution Management

Project Name:

Technical Cooperation Project for Systematizing Water Service and Distribution
Project Partners:

Hokkaido International Exchange and Cooperation Center, Sapporo Water Works Bureau, Japan
Project Funding Agency:

JICA Hokkaido
Project Site/Location:

Pokhara Metropolitan City, Kaski, Nepal
Project Duration:

Jan 2022 to Dec 2024 (3 Years)
Project Sector:

Water and Sanitation

Project Background:

 

Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aims to ensure access to water and sanitation for all by 2030. In Nepal, only 20% of the 87% of the population with access to city water receive safe water, with Pokhara facing significant water quality and leakage issues. To address these, the Governments of Japan and Nepal initiated the ‘Project for Improvement of Water Supply in Pokhara’ in 2017, with Japan providing a grant of 4.813 billion JPY. The project includes constructing a water treatment plant, reservoirs, and improving distribution networks, aiming to filter 41 million liters of water per day by 2021.

Problems Identified:

 
  1. Pokhara, despite being the largest city in Nepal, lacks quality and safe drinking water.
  2. High water leakage rates impede continuous water supply.
  3. Urgent need for repair and maintenance of the water supply chain with modern technology.

Target Group Selection Criteria:

 

Pokhara, a major metropolitan and tourist destination, had 68,398 households in 2011. Despite its size, it lacked adequate water treatment facilities. The project aims to address this by providing technical training to NWSC staff for better water distribution management.

Policy and Program:

 

Nepal’s Constitution recognizes the right to clean drinking water and sanitation. The 15th Periodic Plan (2019/2020–2024/2025) targets 100% access to improved sanitation and aims to treat 20% of wastewater. The project aligns with these objectives to improve public health.

Project Objectives:

 
  • Enhance technical knowledge of NWSC staff to manage water service and distribution.
  • Control soil erosion and enhance greenery at water purification sites through tree planting.

Activities:

 
  1. Environmental Preservation:
    • Plant 200 seedlings at water catchment areas.
  2. Technical Training:
    • Conduct 3 training sessions by Sapporo Water Bureau, Japan for NWSC officials in Pokhara.
  3. Administrative Works:
    • Hold preliminary meetings, interaction programs, and monitoring and evaluation sessions.

Expected Project Outcomes/Results:

 
  • NWSC will manage water leak repairs in the model area using a new standard operating procedure.
  • NWSC will improve the water quality management plan and ensure proper daily water quality management in the model area.
  • Water purification sites will be greener, aiding in soil erosion control.