In the Bardiya district of western Nepal, accessing the necessary quantity of clean water needed for daily life is an ongoing challenge. The region’s dry season is brutal, causing the land to crack and crops to wither, leaving communities struggling for survival. For daily needs, most residents rely on groundwater pumped through hand pumps. Unfortunately, this water is contaminated with E. coli, and when ingested, leads to serious health issues such as diarrhoea and vomiting.
Recognizing the urgent need for better access to clean water, ADRA launched a three-year health improvement project in Bardiya. Last year, this initiative introduced a Yamaha water purification system, a critical step toward addressing the water crisis. This year, the project expanded to Vijayanagar village, where water shortages have been a longstanding challenge.
Vijayanagar’s plight highlights the dire need for sustainable water solutions. The government previously dug a 120-meter-deep well to access groundwater, but financial constraints halted the project. Without the necessary infrastructure, the village’s 500 households continued to rely on the limited hand-pump water.
In response to the residents’ appeals, ADRA conducted a field survey and revitalised the local Water and Sanitation Committee. Together, in collaboration with the local government, ADRA developed a plan to construct an elevated water tank.
Construction began in August, braving sweltering temperatures above 40°C. By October, the 10,000-liter water tank was completed, along with 10 water taps strategically placed across the village.
On October 28, a handover ceremony marked a significant milestone, attended by over 100 people, including local officials, media, health department staff, and community members.
During the ceremony, the mayor urged the community to take pride in maintaining the water facilities, emphasizing the joint responsibility of the municipality and the residents. Similarly, the Director General of the Health Bureau applauded the project’s contribution to fulfilling Nepal’s constitutional right to health.
For the residents, the benefits are already apparent. One shared, “We used to rely on hand-pumped water that often made us sick. Now, with cleaner water from the elevated tank, (sourced from the deeper borehole), our health will improve significantly.”
The tank now supplies clean water daily to approximately 500 households. Residents have shown a keen interest in expanding the network, with plans to install six additional water taps in partnership with the local government.
To ensure the long-term success of this initiative, ADRA will continue working closely with the Vijayanagar Water and Sanitation Committee. Together, they aim to establish sustainable management practices for the tank, ensuring future generations can access this essential resource.
This life-changing project is made possible through generous donations and support from the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects.
