Artificial Groundwater Recharge System Officially Handed Over

Kathmandu. Groundwater has served as a major source of drinking water for residents of the Kathmandu Valley since time immemorial. The stone spouts, wells, and kuwas (spring water points) are the primary water outlets found throughout the valley. However, over the last two decades, excessive groundwater extraction, unplanned construction, and road development have significantly depleted groundwater resources in the area. Additionally, changing rainfall patterns, characterized by intense rainfall over short periods, have impacted the natural process of groundwater recharge.

To address these issues and promote groundwater replenishment through artificial recharge initiatives, Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal (CCBN) and the Centre for Integrated Urban Development (CIUD) have implemented a groundwater recharge project in wards 22 and 25 of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City for the year 2024-25, demonstrating a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in urban water management. The project aims to increase the groundwater level at selected sites, demonstrate low-cost recharge technology, and encourage local governments and communities to replicate similar initiatives. It has installed six recharge systems in ward 25 and five in ward 22, with each system consisting of a recharge well and a filter chamber, and an average well depth of 20 feet.

The Centre for Integrated Urban Development (CIUD), with financial support from Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal, officially handed over a groundwater recharge system under the project "Artificial Groundwater Recharge in the Core and Open Spaces of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City: Addressing the Increased Urban Demand with an Approach to Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Water Management." The program took place at Te Bahal (near Bhadrakali Dyo Chhen) in Ward 22 of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

It is estimated that the 11 installed systems (Ward No. 25 – 6 recharge systems and Ward No. 22 – 5 recharge systems) in the core area of Kathmandu Metropolitan City will help replenish nearly 9,624 kiloliters of water per annum.

The program began with a site observation led by Mr. Yash Man Karmacharya, Program Manager at CIUD, accompanied by the honorable guest, Ms. Sunita Dangol, Deputy Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, at Te Bahal.

Following the site observation, a handover program occurred at the office of Ward 22, starting with welcome remarks from Mr. Nabin Bikash Maharjan, Executive Director of CIUD, who emphasized the importance of the groundwater recharge system in core areas. He then invited Mr. Sudarshan Rajbhandari, Program Director at CIUD, to provide a comprehensive briefing on the project.

The handover program continued with the distribution of certificates and an Operations Manual to Ward 22 and Ward 25. In turn, appreciation certificates were presented by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City along with Ward 22 and Ward 25 to CIUD and Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal.

After a brief remark by Mrs. Sneh Rajbhandari, County PACS Director of Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal, who emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships, ward representatives Mr. Chini Kaji Maharjan of Ward 22 and Mr. Rajesh Dangol of Ward 25 also expressed their gratitude.

Upon successful completion, Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal and the Centre for Integrated Urban Development (CIUD) jointly handed over the groundwater recharge systems to the chairpersons of wards 22 and 25, in the presence of Ms. Sunita Dangol, Deputy Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. The wards recognized CIUD and CCBN for their contributions to the community.

Ms. Dangol greatly appreciated CIUD and CCBN for their ongoing support in groundwater recharge efforts and anticipated further public-private partnerships in urban water management. The handover program concluded with closing remarks from Deputy Mayor Ms. Sunita Dangol, who acknowledged the efforts of all stakeholders. She also noted that the local clubs and youth supporting such initiatives are commendable and encouraged them to consistently handle maintenance and cleaning. Additionally, she mentioned Siddhi Naka as a traditional day for cleaning water sources. She proposed conducting an orientation on the operation and maintenance of the artificial groundwater recharge systems to ensure long-term sustainability.

Ward 25 Chairperson Mr. Rajesh Dangol stated, “At first we did not understand the Groundwater Recharge and asked CIUD to brief and present on it, and we approved a few installations. But when it was installed, we learned more about the system and its functioning. I am convinced it will at least reduce the urban flooding we experience every year in the core chowks and bahals. Therefore, I seek more collaboration for additional recharging systems in Ward 25 in the coming days.”