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Locals participate in solving water woes
KATHMANDU, DEC 16 - Local residents at Tokha have set a precedent by preserving their cultural heritage as well as promoting the use of sustainable water resources. Residents, none of whom have running water at home, have consolidated their efforts to clean and maintain three stone water spouts that were constructed at least 150 years ago.
The Environment and Public Health Organisation (ENPHO), local clubs of Tokha, and women’s cooperatives in Tokha conducted a programme to clean the stone spouts and create awareness about safe drinking water on Nov. 29. Since then, local residents agree that their initiatives have only had positive impacts.
“There used to be ditches full of dirt all around these water spouts. It was very unhealthy because we used the water from these taps everyday. So, we decided to get together, cover the ditches, and clean up the area around the spouts,” said local resident Bikram Shrestha.
“We have no other immediate source of water,” said Suku Dev Shrestha, another local resident.
With a Valley that is reeling under water shortage in most areas, the Tokha community also seeks to maintain its current supply of water. “During winter months, the Valley’s water utility is unable to provide enough water for the Valley’s population. It is at times like this that we need the spouts,” said resident Sati Devi Dangol.
Owing to urbanisation and climate change, the spouts, which originally had a natural water source, now depend on artificial tanks. According to Bhim Lal Shrestha, a local resident of Tokha, there are 12 stone spouts in Tokha that are currently serving nearly 12,000 residents. The water in the spouts comes from reserve tanks that have been placed in the Chandeshwori Muhan of the same district. “A tank provided by the Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (the Valley’s water utility) was not enough to meet our needs, so the United Nations Children’s Fund provided us with two extra tanks and pipe systems,” said Shrestha.
The stone spouts in Tokha cater to at least 300 households in the area. According to ENPHO estimates, only 233 out of 389 stone-spouts in the Valley are currently functioning.
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