Kathmandu used to have lots of clean water from stone taps and springs. Now the city is running out of water. People wait in long lines every day just to get water. Many people have to buy water from trucks. This is a big problem that affects thousands of people every day.
Water in Kathmandu
Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, faces a shortage of clean and safe drinking water. Although many households are connected to the water supply system, the demand is much higher than the supply. Studies show that only a small percentage of people receive pure drinking water, and many residents depend on bottled water, tankers, or underground sources. Rapid urbanization, population growth, and pollution have made water management a serious challenge in the city.
Nepal faces significant challenges in providing safe drinking water to its population. While approximately 95% of people have access to basic drinking water, only about 28% have access to safely managed drinking water. This highlights the need for improved water quality and enhanced infrastructure to safeguard public health.
How Water used to Work
Long ago, Kathmandu had an excellent water system. Old kings built stone water taps, ponds, and underground pipes. These brought water from the mountains to the city using gravity - no machines needed. Some of these old systems still work today when modern taps don't have water.
But most of these old water systems are broken now. They got damaged because nobody took care of them. Many were buried under new roads and buildings. The city forgot about these important water sources.
Too Many People, Not Enough Water
The main problem is that too many people now live in Kathmandu. The city grew very fast, but the water system didn't grow with it. More people need more water, but there isn't enough to go around.
The city tried to build new water projects like the Melamchi Water Supply Project, but these took too long to finish. There were problems with corruption and bad planning. Even when new pipes are built, the water doesn't reach everyone. Poor areas often don't get any water.
Weather and Dirty Water Make Things Worse
Climate change has made the problem worse. There is less rain now, so rivers and wells are drying up.
The rivers in Kathmandu are also very dirty. They are full of trash and waste. People who use this water can get sick. This hurts poor people the most because they spend more time and money trying to find clean water.
The Mayor Wants to Fix the Problem
Mayor Balen Shah talked about this problem in a YouTube video. He said the city's water system is dying because nobody is taking care of it. He thinks the city should:
- Fix the old stone water taps
- Clean the rivers
- Finish building new water projects
- Ask people to save water
Can This Problem Be Fixed?
Yes, but only if everyone works together quickly. The city needs to:
- Fix and clean the old water sources
- Protect natural springs and ponds
- Build new water systems for more people
- Collect rainwater to help with the water supply
- Ask people to use less water and not waste it
Why This Matters
The water problem in Kathmandu shows how the city is not taking care of its resources. Kathmandu used to have one of the best water systems in the area. Now people struggle to get clean water.
But there is still hope. If the government, leaders like Mayor Balen Shah, and regular people all work together, they can solve this problem. The old stone water taps, built hundreds of years ago, still teach us a valuable lesson: water is precious and we must take care of it before it's too late.
